WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) received the Casey Family Programs Leadership Award for his tireless advocacy on behalf of America's children and families.
Seattle-based Casey Family Programs, the largest national operating foundation whose sole mission is to provide and improve—and ultimately prevent the need for—foster care, honored Senator Smith during an award celebration in his Capitol Hill office on Friday, December 8, 2006. The Casey Family Programs Leadership Awards are presented annually to policymakers and other national leaders who have demonstrated unwavering commitment, leadership and action on behalf of the nation's most vulnerable children. Other 2006 recipients are Representative Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) and Representative Hilda L. Solis (D-CA).
"Senator Smith continues to be a strong champion for lasting change on behalf of children and their families," said William C. Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs. "We are honored to recognize his advocacy and efforts to ensure that the Medicaid program continues providing crucial health care services to children and families involved in our child welfare and foster care systems."
"I thank Casey Family Programs for honoring me with this Leadership Award; supporting our most vulnerable citizens remains a top priority for my work in the state of Oregon and in this great nation, " said Senator Smith. "I'm committed to working with partners to ensure that all children have the benefit of a bright and healthy future."
Since being sworn in to the United States Senate on January 7, 1997, Senator Smith has been known for his bi-partisan work on issues crucial to the future health and prosperity of his constituents. He currently serves on five major Senate committees including the Finance Committee. He also serves as the chairman of the Special Committee on Aging and serves on the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.
Casey Family Programs operates across the country and collaborates with foster, kinship and adoptive parents to provide safe, permanent and loving families for youth in foster care. The foundation also works with counties, states, and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes to improve services and outcomes for the 800,000 children who experience foster care every year.