Schwartz Named "Defender of Children"

from the inbox:

U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz received two awards for her hard work on behalf of families and children in her district and across the country. Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother Media have once again awarded the congresswoman with the 2010 Best of Congress award for her leadership in improving the quality of life for working families. Schwartz has also received the honor of being named a “Defender of Children” by First Focus Campaign for Children.

“I am honored to receive these prestigious awards from both of these organizations,” Schwartz said. “I share in their commitment to improving the lives of American families and finding commonsense solutions to the challenges they face. This year I was proud to have stood up to the insurance industry on behalf of families, and to have secured access to coverage for children with serious illnesses and to ensure that young adults can stay on their parent's insurance plans.”

“We applaud Congresswoman Schwartz for her unflagging commitment to protect our nation’s future,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the First Focus Campaign for Children. “Children cannot vote, hold press conferences, or donate to political campaigns to thank the Members of Congress that support them and protect their interests. And because of that, we are presenting this award on behalf of children to recognize our nation's top public officials who take action to make them national priority. We look forward to working with Congressman Schwartz to continue protecting America’s next generation of leaders.”

According to their web site, Working Mother Media’s 2010 Best of Congress was awarded to Schwartz because of her action on the following legislation:

* Her leadership led to the creation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in 1992, which served as the model for the federal plan that now provides health insurance to millions of children.
* In 2009, she introduced the Children’s Health Protection Act, which prohibits employers and insurers from imposing preexisting-condition limitations on children, helping to ensure that children with debilitating illnesses have access to comprehensive and affordable health care.
* She was the lead sponsor in overturning a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to end the Philadelphia School District’s Universal Feeding Program. Schwartz then introduced the Paperless Enrollment for School Meals Act of 2009, which made the food program permanent.
* She supported the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which increased funding for Pell Grants and kept federal student loan interest rates low.
* She also supported the Transfer of New GI Bill Benefits to Children of Fallen Troops, eventually signed into law, which expands new GI Bill benefits to cover the full cost of a college education for all children of fallen U.S. service members.
* And in May, she introduced the Support Working Parents Act, which would give families a 35 percent tax credit on expenses they incur for child care.

First Focus Campaign for Children is a national, bipartisan child advocacy group. The title “Defenders of Children” was awarded to members who support policies that advance the well-being of children.

Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother Media developed the Best of Congress Award to recognize Members of Congress who have made a concerted effort to partner with businesses and other stakeholders to create long-term solutions to the challenges that America’s working families face.