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2011 Bryce Harlow Award
Senator Jon Kyl
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Senator Jon Kyl is currently serving his third term in the United States Senate, after having completed four terms representing Arizona's Fourth District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected unanimously by his colleagues in 2008 to serve as Republican Whip, the second highest position in Senate Republican leadership.
Senator Kyl serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he has played key roles in the confirmation of John Roberts as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court and Samuel Alito as Associate Justice. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, he also helped write the landmark Crime Victims Rights Act, and important provisions of the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and other anti-terrorism laws.
As a member of the Finance Committee, he has been the chief advocate of estate tax repeal and pro-growth tax policies, including low tax rates on income, capital gains, and dividends. He has also been a strong proponent of step-by-step solutions for health-care reform that can improve access, lower costs, and preserve the sacred doctor-patient relationship.
Michael Barone wrote in the 2010 Almanac of American Politics that "the unassuming Kyl quietly built a reputation for hard work, for his knowledge of the nuances of policy, and for his ability to play the inside game." Senator Kyl was recognized by Time magazine in 2006 as one of the 10 best Senators and recently named one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Kyl's strength of character, his ability to be an honest broker, and as his reputation for hard work are traits much admired and remembered in Bryce Harlow, himself. The Foundation is honored to present Senator Jon Kyl with the 2011 Bryce Harlow Award.
2011 Business-Government Relations Award
John Castellani
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Armed with a biology degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York, John J. Castellani began his career as an environmental scientist with General Electric in 1972. After a U.S. energy crisis in the late 1970's, GE detailed Castellani — already recognized for his strategic planning skills — to the National Association of Manufacturers and there began his long and distinguished career in business-government relations. In the 1980's Castellani went on to serve as TRW's vice president for government relations. Later, Castellani became executive vice president at Tenneco Inc. where, as part of the senior management team, he led the transformation of the ailing conglomerate into seven strong companies.
John Castellani is most well-known for his leadership at the Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs that the Financial Times has called "the most influential chief executive lobbying group in the U.S." Castellani's strong influence as a business lobbyist is credited for establishing the Business Roundtable as a significant force in important issues for business. As the leader of an organization filled with tremendous business clout, Castellani distinguished himself through objective and thoughtful engagement in the competition to shape public policy. In the words of former colleague Larry Burton, "John Castellani epitomizes what Bryce Harlow stood for — ethics, integrity, respect and results."
In June of 2010 John Castellani left the Business Roundtable to become president and CEO of PhRMA. "Castellani's experience in coalition building and strong reputation of working across the political divide set him apart," said David Brennan, president and CEO of AstraZeneca. "In the really tough moments in the healthcare debate," said Senator Mark Warner, "John was one of the voices that was trusted by the administration, Republicans and Democrats. He never lost his focus of getting his business point forward, but he also understood there are two sides to every issue." It is a special honor for the Bryce Harlow Foundation to present Mr. John Castellani with the 2011 Business-Government Relations Award.
