December 19, 2014 --

LPR is pleased to award to Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, jointly, the Senator Jefferson Smith Trophy, named for the title role in Frank Capra's film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" -- the valiant senator (played by James Stewart) who stood for decency, fair play and the liberty-loving spirit of the American people in contrast to the corrupt government insiders who wanted to enrich themselves at the public's expense.

LPR awards the Henry F. Potter Plaque, jointly, to House Speaker John A. Boehner and Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. This Award is named for the villainous banker (played by Lionel Barrymore) in Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" who believed the people should be treated as rabble. This honor goes to Boehner and McConnell for quickly moving, after the November 4 election, to treat the American voters as rabble.