Maloney Receives Award From Working Families Groups

"...I am delighted to receive the 'Best of Congress' award and I will continue to fight to promote paid parental leave and other pro-family policies." Congressmember Carolyn Maloney's efforts to improve the American quality of life through family-friendly workplace policies has been recognized by two major working family organizations, who will award her the inaugural Best of Congress Award next month.

The Queens/Manhattan lawmaker will be cited, based on her voting record and sponsorship and promotion of legislation to aid working families, as well as for policies and practices that she adopted in her congressional offices that support working families and flexible workplace options.

One of Maloney's bills, which would provide federal employees with four weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child, passed the House last June. With more than 1.8 million employees, the federal government is the nation's largest employer, Maloney noted, but federal workers currently do not get paid time off specifically to care for a newborn or newly-adopted child, a benefit which is provided by many workers in private industry.

Responding to the announcements from Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother Media, Maloney stated: "Paid parental leave makes sense, both for government and for businesses. In addition to reducing turnover, family-friendly policies lead to increased productivity, better morale, and less absenteeism. I am delighted to receive the 'Best of Congress' award and I will continue to fight to promote paid parental leave and other pro-family policies."

In announcing the award, Carol Evans, chief executive officer of Working Mother Media, said, "Not only did we judge Rep. Maloney on her voting record…we also examined the benefits that her own employees receive, like paid leave and flextime."

Donna Klein, founder and president of Corporate Voices for Working Families, stated, "Congresswoman Maloney has shown what can be accomplished through legislation and a personal commitment to policies that benefit working families.

"As our nation wrestles with a host of economic and other issues involving working families, Rep. Maloney deserves to be congratulated and recognized nationally for her leadership and support."

The Best of Congress award will be presented to Maloney at a recognition breakfast in Washington on September 10. Recipients of the award will attend, and Antonio M. Perez, Kodak CEO, will talk about the award and issues involving working families.

Working Mother Magazine has been in the forefront of the movement to improve the quality of life for working families for more than 29 years and annually honors the 100 best companies whose policies create family-friendly workplaces.

Corporate Voices for Working Families is the leading national business membership organization representing the private sector on public policy issues involving working families. The organization aims to improve the lives of working families and the competitiveness of American businesses.