“Walter Jones has proven his commitment to conservative values with consecutive 100 percent ratings,” said American Conservative Union Chairman David A. Keene.  “I commend him for his moral courage and for the strong conservative voice he brings to Congress.”
 
The American Conservative Union publishes its annual “Rating of Congress,” to determine how closely individual Members of Congress stick to their conservative values and principles. ACU tracks Member voting records on various issues that fall into the following four catagories: economic and budget; social and cultural; defense and foreign policy; and institutional reforms.

Each Member of the House and Senate is rated on a scale of 0 –100.  Members who achieve voting records of 100 percent are recognized among the ACU’s “Best and Brightest.” In the State of North Carolina only Senator Jesse Helms and Congressmen Walter Jones, Charles Taylor, and Howard Coble were honored with this title in 1999.

“It’s a very conservative delegation,” said Christian Josi, the ACU’s executive director.  “Walter Jones is following in the footsteps of Jesse Helms.”

 “America was built upon strong conservative values,” Jones said.  “We must return to those principles and remain committed to them so we can build a better and stronger America for future generations.”

The American Conservative Union was established in 1964 and serves as the nation’s oldest and most conservative grassroots organization.  ACU first began publishing its annual “Rating of Congress” in 1971.  The ratings provide a vital reference tool for members of the media, political strategists, and the voting public.