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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3 KANSAS PUBLIC SERVANTS RECEIVE NATIONAL AWARDS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO STRONG COMMUNITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3 KANSAS PUBLIC SERVANTS RECEIVE NATIONAL AWARDS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO STRONG COMMUNITIES
AWARD HONORS QUIET LEADERSHIP AND WORK TO ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE AND PROSPERITY FOR KANSAS’ POOR

Christie Kriegshauser, Chief of Staff for Speaker Ray Merrick, Melika Willoughby, Deputy Communications Director for Gov. Sam Brownback, and Jeff Kahrs, Chief of Staff for the Department for Children and Families, were each honored with the 2016 Unsung Hero Award from the Foundation for Government Accountability Monday for their quiet commitment and effort in the state to stop ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion, eliminate welfare policies that promote dependency, and to protect volunteers who are working to improve lives in their communities.

Kriegshauser, Willoughby, and Kahrs all supported reforms to the state’s welfare programs to encourage independence and discourage abuse and long-term reliance on public support. Kriegshauser and Willoughby also worked to preserve Kansas’ Medicaid program for the truly needy despite pressure from DC to accept ObamaCare’s expansion. And Kreigshauser helped create protections for community volunteers who offer free care to low-income patients or who support children whose families are experiencing a temporary crisis.

“Positive changes are impossible without the tireless efforts of dedicated people working behind the scenes to make their states a better place, and Kansas is blessed to have three amazing talents who’ve helped make a difference in people’s lives,” said Tarren Bragdon, FGA CEO.

“Kriegshauser, Willoughby, and Kahrs have done the hard work of turning bold ideas into the realities that are the key to keeping Kansas’ future bright, for its working poor and its vulnerable citizens.”

Kriegshauser, Willoughby, and Kahrs are just three of a small handful of public servants being recognized from around the country with the annual award for their work in 2016.

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