FBI Minneapolis Selects Former Senator Rod Grams as Recipient of 2013 Director’s Community Leadership Award

FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge J. Christopher Warrener announces the posthumous awarding of the Director’s Community Leadership Award to former U.S. Senator from Minnesota Rod Grams.

Senator Grams is being recognized for his work with several community organizations and for his work in bringing the AMBER Alert system to Minnesota in 2002. During 2001 and 2002, Senator Grams was instrumental in bringing both law enforcement and members of the media together to make certain that Minnesota became the seventh state to implement the statewide missing child alert system. The Minnesota AMBER Alert program was established to dramatically increase the visibility of certain child abduction cases. Twenty-eight AMBER Alerts have been issued in Minnesota since the program’s inception, and all 28 children have been located.

Grams also volunteered with several community organizations during his life. He served on the Board of Directors for the Center for Victims of Torture, worked with Catholic Charities, and was involved with Mission 500, an organization that worked to end child hunger. In 2004, Grams and his wife, Chris Grams, purchased three radio stations in Little Falls, Minnesota. Grams developed programming that gave free air time daily to local non-profit groups and community service coalitions. In addition, the three radio stations often provided numerous items, event tickets, and services to non-profit organizations to help these organizations raise revenue at silent auctions for their mission-based outreach.

For his efforts in bringing the AMBER Alert system to Minnesota, coupled with his work and support for numerous community causes, the FBI recognizes the achievements of former U.S. Senator, Rod Grams by honoring him with the 2013 Director’s Community Leadership Award. Accepting the award on behalf of former Senator Grams will be his wife, Chris Grams, at a ceremony on January 8, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at Connexus Energy, 14601 Ramsey Boulevard, Ramsey, Minnesota.