Congressman Fattah Wins 'Best of Congress' Award for Support of Working Families.

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) has been honored by Working Mother Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families with the inaugural Best of Congress award, for improving the American quality of life through legislation that supports working families and by practicing what is preached - employing family-friendly policies in his own office.

A profile of Congressman Fattah is featured in the August/September 2008 issue of Working Mother magazine and at www.workingmother.com among 24 legislators chosen as "Best of Congress."

"Not only did we judge Congressman Fattah on his voting records for supporting working families, we also examined the benefits that his own employees receive like paid leave and flextime," Carol Evans, CEO, Working Mother Media, said. "Congressman Fattah is stepping up voluntarily because he believes in progressive policies and acts on those beliefs in the real world managing his staff."

"Congressman Fattah has shown what can be accomplished through legislation and a personal commitment to policies that benefit working families," Donna Klein, president and founder of Corporate Voices for Working Families, said. "As our nation wrestles with a host of economic and other issues involving working families, Congressman Fattah deserves to be congratulated and recognized nationally for his leadership and support."

Fattah has voted for and cosponsored legislation to raise the minimum wage, provide children's health insurance, reduce pregnancy and assist college student borrowers. He has championed broad educational reforms such as GEAR UP, the college readiness program to lift low income and working young people into the middle class. He has cosponsored the Equal Rights Amendment and the Freedom of Choice Act. He has instituted employment practices in his Washington and Philadelphia offices in line with his legislative priorities for all.

"The women and men of working families are the backbone of our nation, our great strength as we seek to level the playing field and improve the life chances of every American," Congressman Fattah said. "I am honored by this award and pleased to join such a distinguished group of leaders from both parties and both Houses of Congress."

Congressman Fattah submitted an application for this inaugural award. He was judged on his voting record, sponsored/co-sponsored legislation, and efforts to promote legislation that supports working families. In addition, he was asked to submit policies and practices within his own office that support working families and flexible workplace options.

Applications were reviewed by a bipartisan steering committee co-chaired by Ted Childs, Founder and Principal of Ted Childs, LLC and Jane Swift, Founder and Principal of WNP Consulting, LLC and former Governor of Massachusetts. Also on the steering committee reviewing applications were Patricia Kempthorne, Founder and Executive Director of the Twiga Foundation and Pat Schroeder, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers and former congresswoman from Colorado.

The Best of Congress Award will be presented to Congressman Fattah and 23 other members of Congress, including Senator Robert P. Casey (D-PA) and Congresswoman Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-PA), at a recognition breakfast in Washington on Sept. 10. Recipients of the Best of Congress award will attend, and Antonio M. Perez, CEO of Kodak, will talk about the award and issues involving working families.

Working Mother magazine has been in the forefront of the movement to improve the quality of life for working families for over 29 years and annually honors the 100 best companies whose policies create family-friendly workplaces.