Spratt gets award from national prosecutors group

The Associated Press

U.S. Rep. John Spratt is getting an award from a national group of prosecutors.

The National District Attorneys Association says the Democrat has earned the award given to him Wednesday for both his efforts to help prosecutors and public defenders.

The group says Spratt was key in assuring the National Advocacy Center in Columbia avoided damaging budget cuts. The school trains state and federal prosecutors.

The group also says Spratt led the fight in Congress to pass a bill that will give student loan assistance to public defenders and prosecutors, forgiving a portion of their loans for each year they serve the public.

Several prosecutors from Spratt's Fifth Congressional District will present him with the award.