The National Federation of Independent Business has named state Sens. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, as recipients of its Guardians of Small Business Award for 2012. The award is given to legislators with strong records of sponsoring and supporting legislation vital to the creation, growth and survival of small-business enterprises in Washington state.

“Small businesses are the driving force behind our economy and when they’re successful, we’re all successful,” said King, who represents the 14th Legislative District. “When this economy finally turns around it won’t happen from the top, down…it’ll start with our local businesses, the backbone of our state’s economic engine. I consider it a real honor to be named a guardian of that ilk.”

“I’m very proud to receive this award from the National Federation of Independent Business once again,” added Honeyford, who represents the 15th Legislative District. “In my 18 years as a state lawmaker I’ve always tried to be a champion of small businesses and have worked hard to give them every opportunity to succeed in this often-difficult environment.”

King and his brother helped turn their father’s cabinet shop in Union Gap into a successful commercial cabinet company, growing the business from four to 40 employees. As the deputy ranking Republican on the Senate Labor Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, King added that one of his top priorities is improving Washington’s business climate to encourage new businesses to develop and existing businesses to flourish.

Honeyford is the ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee and was named one of NFIB’s 2010 Legislators of the Decade in addition to receiving a previous Guardian of Small Business award in 2000 as well as an Outstanding Legislator Award from NFIB in 1998. Honeyford says he believes the state’s single largest need is jobs, and there is much the Legislature can and should do to encourage job growth.