Congressman Crowley Receives Defender of Children Award from National Children’s Organization

(Queens, N.Y.) – Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) recently received the 2012 Defender of Children Award from the First Focus Campaign for Children, a national bipartisan children's advocacy organization. Crowley was selected for his commitment to advocating on behalf of children in policy and budget decisions. This is the second consecutive year Crowley has received this award.

“I am honored to be recognized by the First Focus Campaign for Children for my efforts to help our nation’s children.  As a father of three, I know just how important it is to set a solid foundation for our children. The sad reality is too many kids are living without the basics – good nutrition, healthcare and access to education – they need and deserve to start off on the right foot,” said Rep. Crowley. “That’s why I have made helping children a focus of my work in Congress and will continue to do so. We must do all we can to build a brighter future for children in New York City and across the country.”

In selecting recipients of the Defender of Children Award, the First Focus Campaign for Children noted leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation to meet children's needs. In addition, the organization considered Members of Congress who demonstrated extraordinary initiative by sponsoring hearings or garnering the support of their colleagues to improve the health, educational outcomes, and well-being of children.

“Lots of politicians talk about kids’ issues, but few back it up,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the First Focus Campaign for Children. “Representative Crowley delivered for kids.”

As a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Crowley serves on the subcommittee on Human Resources, which oversees the foster care system, child care, and other crucial child welfare programs, and has championed economic policies like the Child Tax Credit to help working families and military families. This Congress, Crowley introduced the Children First Act, legislation to increase access to stable and affordable child care for low-income families. He also was a key author of the Protect Our Kids Act of 2011, which would create a national commission to develop a strategy to reduce child fatalities as a result of abuse and neglect. Crowley has also joined his colleagues on a number of bills supporting children, including co-sponsoring the Foster Care Mentoring Act, which helps states support quality mentoring programs for children.

The First Focus Campaign for Children is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. The Campaign for Children advocates directly for legislative change in Congress to ensure children and families are a priority in federal policy and budget decisions.

Congressman Crowley is the seven-term representative from the 7th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as a Chief Deputy Whip in the House of Representatives.