CONTACT
Julia Fallon
Executive Director
SETDA
[email protected]

SETDA Honors Senator Murray and Representative McNerney
with the 2022 Federal Policymaker of the Year Award

November 17, 2022 (Washington, DC) – SETDA, the principal membership association of U.S. state and territorial educational technology and digital learning leaders, announced at their recent Leadership Summit, Senator Patty Murray (WA) and Representative McNerney (CA-09), as the 2022 recipients of the SETDA Federal Policymaker of the Year Award. Representative McNerney accepted the award at the 2022 SETDA Leadership Summit.

The Policymaker Award honors elected and appointed policymakers at state and federal levels who have championed access to and effective use of technology in K-12 education.

The award is rooted in SETDA’s long tradition of seeking out exemplary leadership. It honors a recognized policymaker who actively supports digital learning opportunities for all students and engages with the broader education and policymaking communities to advocate for the role of technology in advancing education.

For 2022, SETDA recognizes the “sponsors” of the Digital Equity Act (DEA), which Congress passed last November as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The DEA represents a $3 billion victory that benefits every state.

This year’s award honors Senator Murray and Representative McNerney as the lead sponsors and recognizes the cosponsors of the legislation. Traditionally the federal policymaker award is given to an individual, but for the first time, it was given to a group to mark this special achievement.

“I want to thank the State Educational Technology Directors Association for this award and commend them for their commitment to educational advancement through technology-based learning,” said Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09). “As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law, the Digital Equity Act will provide $2.75 billion to help close gaps in broadband adoption and increase digital literacy. Connectivity is the great equalizer and a gateway to opportunity, and this funding is crucial to lifting up communities throughout the country.”

“Digital equity and inclusion are essential for learning,” shared Julia Fallon, Executive Director of SETDA. “Equipping all students with the high-speed connections, devices, and skills required to benefit from a technology-enabled world will ensure more kids are ready for post-secondary success. This is why SETDA is proud to name the Digital Equity Act’s sponsors and co-sponsors as the recipients of the 2022 SETDA Federal Policymaker of the Year Award.”

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About SETDA

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the principal association representing U.S. state and territorial educational technology and digital learning leaders. Through a broad array of programs and advocacy, SETDA builds member capacity and engages partners to empower the education community in leveraging technology for learning, teaching, and school operations.

For more information, please visit our website https://www.setda.org or Twitter @setda