Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) was honored on Wednesday by the national Aerospace Industries Association, who was “proud to present the annual ‘Wings of Liberty’ award” to Alabama’s senior Senator.

In a press release, the organization cited Shelby’s work to ensure funding for defense and non-defense programs vital to American national security and the health of the country’s aerospace industry.

“Honoring Senator Shelby tonight with the Wings of Liberty reflects our deep appreciation for his strong and continued focus on aerospace and defense issues,” AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning said.

He continued to praise Shelby, adding, “Over his four decades of service, he has immersed himself in understanding the issues that affect our industry and worked with colleagues across the aisle to provide funding for programs that impact every American: from civil aviation to defense to space.”

Shelby is currently the powerful chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and chairs the Defense Subcommittee. Previously, he chaired the Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee – which provides funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – and the Transportation Subcommittee, which handles the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Since taking over as Appropriations chair earlier this year, Shelby has worked in a historic way to lead a Senate appropriations process that has approved 9 of the 12 annual appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2019 – a pace unmatched in recent decades.

“Senator Shelby’s efforts to find bipartisan solutions and return the Senate to regular order is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the senator’s extraordinary abilities,” AIA Chairman and Raytheon Company Chairman & CEO Thomas A. Kennedy remarked. “On behalf of the Aerospace Industries Association, we thank Senator Shelby for helping ensure our brave servicemen and women will have the equipment and training they need to protect the safety and security of our nation.”

We’re honored to award @SenShelby with this year’s #WingsofLiberty award. Join us in celebrating the Senator for his incredible contributions to the #aerospace industry. #AeroWeek pic.twitter.com/5QyFZSLldP

— Aerospace Industries (@AIAspeaks) September 12, 2018

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn