News Releases

LSA Awards Honor Members of Congress for
Service Promoting Policy that Improves the Lives of Americans

April 29, 2009 (Washington, DC) - Six Members of Congress were honored at a reception April 29 for supporting important legislation and supporting LSA members in their work of loving and serving neighbors. The awards were part of the 2009 Lutheran Services in America Annual Conference.

The LSA and LSA Disability Network Congressional Awards are given to select Members of Congress who support issues that are important to LSA member organizations and the people they serve. Jill Schumann, President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America. “This year, especially, we are proud to honor these public servants who work to make the United States a place where all Americans can contribute and thrive to their best ability.”

Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) received a 2009 Lutheran Services in America Congressional Award for advocacy on early childhood issues. Senator Bond served two terms as governor of Missouri, and is now in his fourth term as a U.S. Senator. During his tenure as U.S. Senator, Senator Bond has been an advocate for children and families, especially regarding early childhood issues. Senator Bond introduced and supported the Education Begins at Home Act, which would expand programs of early childhood home visitation that increase school readiness, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early identification of developmental and health delay. Senator Bond was nominated by Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri.

Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) received a 2009 Lutheran Services in America Congressional Award for advocacy on issues affecting older adults. Now in his fourth term as U.S. Senator, Senator Kohl has long been an advocate on issues affecting the aging community. He serves as the chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, the primary committee dealing with issues affecting older Americans, such as Medicare, retirement securing, and protection from fraud and abuse. He is also the principal sponsor of the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act, which addresses the needs of reforming the program regarding new construction, preservation and refinancing, and supportive services in the Section 202 housing program.

Representative James Oberstar (D-MN) received a 2009 Lutheran Services in America Congressional Award for the award for advocacy on many important social issues affecting the lives of Minnesota residents. Currently serving his 17th term representing the 8th district of Minnesota, LSA recognized Representative Oberstar for his dedication to the wellbeing of children and families. He serves as the chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, an informal, bipartisan alliance of members of Congress who support adoption, and he has taken a keen interest in supporting homeless youth in northeastern Minnesota in the past years. Representative is a deliberative legislator who proceeds with the conviction that we must do all we can to develop strong community life, including extending targeted support to those with the greatest of needs so they too can be contributing members of even stronger communities. Representative Oberstar was nominated by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.

Representative Todd Platts (R-PA) received a 2009 Lutheran Services in America Congressional Award for his advocacy on many important social issues affecting the lives of Pennsylvania residents. Currently in his fifth term representing the 19th district of Pennsylvania, Representative Platts has been an advocate for people in need on a host of issues, ranging from making summer food programs for low-income children permanent to encouraging volunteerism to his co-sponsorship of the Community Choice Act. Representative Platts has also been a strong advocate on issues regarding Medicare.

Representative Jim Gerlach (R-PA) received a 2009 Lutheran Services in America Disability Network Congressional Award for his advocacy on behalf of people with developmental disabilities, including helping to provide an opportunity for a person receiving services from one of our organizations to attend President Obama's inauguration. Representing the 6th Congressional district of Pennsylvania, including Berks, Chester, Lehigh, and Montgomery Counties, Representative Gerlach continues to show passion for local groups that support people with disabilities. He is also a member of the Autism Caucus in the US House of Representatives and co-sponsored a resolution to declare April “National Autism Month,” which recognizes efforts to improve resources and training for people with autism. Representative Gerlach was nominated by KenCrest, an LSA member that serves children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities at over 300 sites in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut.

Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) received a 2009 Lutheran Services in America Disability Network Congressional Award for his long-time support of legislation that improves the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The LSA Disability Network recognized Senator Nelson for his tireless efforts to ensure that a temporary increase in federal Medicaid funding was included in the 2009 economic stimulus package, which will help states continue to fund long-term services and supports. The LSA Disability Network appreciates Senator Nelson's support of people with developmental disabilities. Senator Nelson was nominated by Mosaic, an LSA member that serves people with developmental disabilities in 14 states.

The LSA Conference was held April 29 to May 1, 2009 in Washington, DC. More than 350 people attended, representing more than 80 Lutheran social ministry organizations from more than 30 states plus Washington, DC and the Virgin Islands.

Lutheran Services in America creates opportunities with people in thousands of communities throughout the United States and the Caribbean as an alliance of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, and their nearly 300 health and human service organizations. Working neighbor to neighbor through services in health care, aging and disability supports, community development, housing, and child and family strengthening, these organizations together touch the lives of one in 50 Americans each year. The LSA Disability Network is a nationwide network of Lutheran social ministry organizations that serve the needs of people with developmental disabilities and related conditions.

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