The Michigan Chamber of Commerce honored Father Robert Sirico, president of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty in Grand Rapids, with its 2002 Award for Distinguished Service and Leadership. Father Sirico received the award during the Michigan Chamber's Board of Directors meeting held last week at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids.

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"We are very proud to recognize Father Sirico for his past accomplishments and current contributions as President of the Acton Institute," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Jim Barrett. "Father Sirico has provided invaluable guidance and leadership to countless others through his lectures, writings, and commentaries on religious, political, and social issues."

As president of the Acton Institute, Father Sirico lectures at colleges, universities, and business organizations throughout the United States and abroad. Father Sirico received his master of divinity degree from the Catholic University of America, following undergraduate study at the University of Southern California and the University of London.

During his studies and early ministry, Father Sirico experienced a growing concern over the lack of training religious studies students receive in fundamental economic principles, leaving them poorly equipped to understand and address today's social problems. As a result of these concerns, Father Sirico co-founded the Acton Institute with Kris Alan Mauren in 1990.

Father Sirico is often called upon by members of the broadcast media for statements regarding economics, civil rights, and issues of religious concern, and has provided commentary for CNN, ABC, the BBC, NPR, and CBS' 60 Minutes, among others.

His writings on religious, political, economic, and social matters are published in a variety of journals, including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, London's Financial Times, The Washington Times, The Detroit News, and National Review.

Past winners of the Michigan Chamber's Award for Distinguished Service and Leadership include: Michigan State University President M. Peter McPherson; former Michigan Lieutenant Governor Connie Binsfeld; former Michigan Supreme Court Justices Dorothy Comstock Riley and Robert Griffin; former Speaker of the House Paul Hillegonds; former Michigan State Treasurer Doug Roberts; former Federal Reserve Board Governor Martha Seger; Gerald Miller, who previously served as director of Michigan's Family Independence Agency; former Detroit News editorial editor Tom Bray; print and broadcast journalist Timothy C. Skubick; and the late Governor George Romney.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization which represents approximately 7,000 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

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SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Jim Barrett, President & CEO of Michigan Chamber of Commerce,
+1-517-371-2100

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/