FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KANSAS LAWMAKER RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EMPOWERING KANSANS TO RETURN TO WORK AND PROTECTING KIDS IN CRISIS
AWARD HONORS LEADERSHIP ON REFORMS WELFARE REFORMS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF DEPENDENCY AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED
Kansas Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook was honored with the Foundation for Government Accountability’s 2015 Defender of Opportunity and the Champion of Children Awards Monday for her leadership in the state to reform the welfare system and empower residents to return to the workforce, and to protect communities who help families and children in crisis.
Pilcher-Cook sponsored legislation in Kansas to ensure popular work requirements and asset tests for food stamps programs remained in place without express legislative approval, and to enable community-based organizations to train and prepare volunteer families to take in children whose parents are experiencing a temporary crisis. Strong partnerships with the FGA and leaders like Pilcher-Cook have helped save 8 million Americans from dependence on government welfare, and prevented thousands of children from being caught up in the foster care system.
“Kansas is fortunate to have leaders like Sen. Pilcher-Cook who fight to give people opportunities to break the cycle of government dependency and rise out of poverty, while empowering the community to come together to support families in crisis,” said Tarren Bragdon, FGA CEO.
“Leaders who step forward and support bold ideas that work are the key to keeping Kansas’ future bright, for its working poor and its vulnerable children.”
Pilcher-Cook is one of a handful of state leaders being recognized from around the country for their work in 2015, and they are the first group of legislators to be honored with this annual award.
###
