U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Ala., has received the 2008 Tennessee Valley Corridor Champion Award.

The award is the organization's top award and goes annually to a regional economic development leader.

Having recently announced that he won't seek re-election to Congress, a special tribute and presentation was made to Cramer during the summit. Cramer, who represents the Shoals, was thanked for his many years of service to north Alabama, the Tennessee Valley Corridor and nation.

Numerous officials attended the ceremony, including U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., U.S. Sens. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., and Bob Corker, R.Tenn., U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn.

"Each year, the Tennessee Valley Corridor board of directors selects a 'Corridor Champion' who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in helping to advance the objectives of the Tennessee Valley Corridor," said Wamp, a founding member of the organization.

"I can't think of an individual more deserving of this award than my friend and colleague Congressman Bud Cramer.

"He has done so much to advance the economic and technology development in the Tennessee Valley."