Congressman Zach Wamp

U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp said Monday that what he likes most about the Better Business Bureau is its focus on trust and ethics.

"But I want to say that the responsibility that goes with trust and ethics is not just one of those in elected office and not just those in business leadership. It's everybody," said Rep. Wamp.

The Chattanooga congressman, speaking at an awards ceremony on integrity and ethics sponsored by the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, said everyone is subject to moral lapses.

"That's why it is important to have a Better Business Bureau," he said. "If the standards are not set high, and if we don't gather regularly to hold the standard up and to celebrate those that do it right, everything just slowly sinks."

Rep. Wamp, R-Tenn., who has announced his candidacy for governor, acknowledged that he wasn't on the campaign trail while speaking at the luncheon. But, he took the opportunity to point out areas such as health care, where Tennessee ranks 47th, and education, in which the state ranks 42nd, that he feels can be improved.

The BBB cited those it deems do it right by presenting awards to a variety of businesses for their marketplace ethics.

Sharp Developments won the award for small businesses with less than 10 employees. The honorable mention in that category was Marlin Financial & Leasing Corp.

Hullco Exteriors won in the 11- to 99-employee category with Yessick's Design Center getting the honorable mention.

In the 100- to 499-employee category, Southern Champion Tray received the top honor. There was no honorable mention in this category.

In the non-profit category, Memorial Health Care System received the ethics award with T.C. Children's Hospital getting the honorable mention.

The Bureau also awarded 10 former area high school seniors each with $1,000 scholarships.

Mike Webb, BBB board chairman, echoed Rep. Wamp's words linking ethics in business to those in government and everyday life.

"Without integrity and ethics, our country will trouble with the challenges ahead," he said. "These companies and individuals are a representation of that."