(Alexandria, Va.) -- The nation's largest taxpayer group and its research affiliate have named the Heritage Foundation's Bridgett Wagner as the recipient of the inaugural Happy Warrior for Taxpayer Freedom Award, created in honor of the late John Berthoud, former President of National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and Foundation (NTUF).
"Bridgett Wagner represents the best traits of a 'happy warrior' -- perseverance, enthusiasm, unpretentiousness, and an eagerness to mentor others without a thought of personal gain," NTU and NTUF President Duane Parde said. "We at National Taxpayers Union and Foundation are honored to present Bridgett with this award for her unwavering commitment to limited government and free enterprise."
After his passing, Berthoud was described as the "happy warrior of fiscal conservatism" by a friend and colleague. To ensure that Berthoud's commitment to improving the world of public policy lives on, and to recognize his selfless qualities in others, NTU and NTUF established an award bearing this namesake.
Wagner has been with the Heritage Foundation for nearly 30 years and currently serves as Director of Coalition Relations. It is in this capacity that she functions as an integral facilitator and role model in connecting numerous and diverse conservative circles with one another. Wagner, an alumna of the University of Dallas, is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society and a trustee of the State Policy Network, International Policy Network, and the Philadelphia Society. She sponsors the Conservative Women's Network, which meets monthly in conjunction with the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute. She also has helped coordinate the meetings of the Heritage Resource Bank with those of the World Taxpayers Associations, to which NTU belongs.
"Bridgett has long been a valued comrade-in-arms of NTU and NTUF, standing in the trenches with taxpayers on issues ranging from government transparency to energy policy," Parde concluded. "She embodies everything about John Berthoud that enabled him to quietly and effectively lead others during his life, and that will continue to inspire many others for years to come."
NTU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen organization founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels. NTUF is the educational arm of NTU. Note: For more information, visit www.ntu.org.