(Chicago, April 29, 2005) The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM^®), the CCIM Institute, and the REALTORS^® Commercial Alliance recently honored Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), a small business owner in the restaurant and real estate industry, with its “Legislator of the Year” award. Calvert, who represents the 44th Congressional District of southern California, was lauded for his extensive voting record and long-standing support of the real estate industry.

He was credited specifically for being a champion in the House for keeping banks out of real estate brokerage and property management. He also was commended for supporting tort reform - including recently passed class-action legislation; just passed bankruptcy legislation; the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act; and the Small Business Health Plan.

Calvert was presented with his award during Commercial Real Estate Capitol Hill Visit Day, an annual event during which members of IREM^®, CCIM and the REALTORS^® Commercial Alliance meet with Senators and Congressmen and their staffs to promote understanding and support for commercial real estate's legislative advocacies. Over 200 separate meetings were held during this year's event.