WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Baldacci was presented the 37th Annual Big M Award from the Maine State Society at a ceremony Dec. 10, at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.

The Maine State Society was established in 1894 by residents of the Washington area who were born in Maine or who have close ties and affiliations with the state. The Big M Award was created in the 1950s, and is presented to recognize Maine people for outstanding contributions and service to the state and its citizens; for achievement in the recipient’s profession; and for demonstrated concern and involvement in state, national and world affairs.

“It is an honor and pleasure to receive this kind of recognition from an outstanding group of former Maine residents and others with close ties to the state,” said Baldacci.

“The Maine State Society does wonderful work in the Washington area, and I’m always delighted to join with its members for charitable and social activities throughout the year,” he said.

The Maine State Society conducts numerous charitable and social activities each year. It also publishes a periodic newsletter. Past recipients of the Big M Award include Margaret Chase Smith (1969), Ed Muskie (1970), William Cohen (1978), and George Mitchell (1983).