Matheson honored for business help

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, has been honored for supporting businesses during his two terms in Congress.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented Matheson with its Spirit of Enterprise award during a ceremony at Granite Construction Co. in Salt Lake City. The representative is one of only 18 Democrats in Congress who won the award.

"As a small businessman myself before I went to Congress, I understand where jobs are created," Matheson said in a news release. "I am proud of my pro-business record."

The award is based on rankings by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which reflect the percentage of votes cast by a congressman that favored the chamber's position. Matheson earned high marks for his votes in favor of President Bush's tax cuts, the Medicare prescription bill and free trade agreements with Singapore and Chile.