The Congressional Management Foundation Recognizes Members and Staff for Outstanding Work Across Four Categories
CONTACT: CMF at (202) 546-0100
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 3, 2018 - Eight Members of Congress and their staff are the recipients of the Congressional Management Foundation’s inaugural Democracy Awards, the first program to recognize non-legislative achievement in operations and constituent service by congressional offices and Members of Congress.
“This designation exemplifies some of the best congressional talent in our representative democracy. Each of these individuals has made and upheld a significant commitment as a public servant to do what is best for their constituents,” said Bradford Fitch, President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. “Each of these Democracy Award winners and their staff model the public service we hope to see among every Member of Congress as they restore trust and faith that our democratic institutions can work,” he said.Award categories include Constituent Service, Innovation, Transparency and Accountability, and the Life in Congress Award for Workplace Environment. CMF developed categories and criteria for the Democracy Awards over the last five years with input from Members of Congress, current and former congressional staff, and the Maxwell School for Public Policy and Citizenship at Syracuse University.
Congressional offices nominated themselves for the award and provided supporting documents to CMF. A review committee then conducted more than 70 interviews and evaluated additional supporting material to select 20 finalists. A committee comprised primarily of former Members of Congress and staff selected the winners in a blind review process where the name of the Member was redacted from the review material.
The 2018 winners are:
Constituent Service
- Sen. John Boozman (R-AR)
- Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
- Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
- Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
- Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA)
- Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA)
- Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA)
- Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA)
The Congressional Management Foundation also issued two Lifetime Achievement Awards for Members of Congress, honoring Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). “There was remarkable consensus among the reviewers that these two Members of Congress demonstrate outstanding values and a commitment to the institution of Congress,” Fitch said.
In addition to recognizing two Members of Congress, CMF issued a Lifetime Achievement award for congressional staff members. Four finalists selected:
· Theresa (Teri) A. Gullo; Assistant Director for Budget Analysis, Congressional Budget Office
· Chuck Kleeschulte; Senior Professional Member, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
· Janet Qureshi; Director of Case Management, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)
· Tracee Sutton; Legislative Director, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
The winner for Lifetime Achievement for a congressional staffer is Judy Schneider, a 42-year veteran of the Congressional Research Service credited with advising thousands of congressional staff and Members of Congress during her four decades of service to the institution.
All of the winners and finalists will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on July 13.
The Founding Partner for the Democracy Awards is the Bridge Alliance, which provided a generous grant to launch the program. Bridge Alliance is a diverse coalition of more than 80 organizations committed to revitalizing democratic practice in America.
The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to build trust and effectiveness in Congress. Since 1977, CMF has worked internally with Member, committee, leadership, and institutional offices in the House and Senate to identify and disseminate best practices for management, workplace environment, communications, and constituent services. CMF also is the leading researcher and trainer on citizen engagement, educating thousands of individuals and facilitating better relationships with Congress. For more information, please visit www.CongressFoundation.org.
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