Pryce Awarded the Parents Anonymous
2004 Outstanding Leadership Award 

Columbus, OH —U.S. Representative Deborah Pryce (R-OH-15) was today awarded the Parents Anonymous Inc. 2004 Outstanding Leadership Award for her role in strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect.  Lucy Cormier, Program Director of Parents Anonymous of Central Ohio presented the award to the Congresswoman in her Columbus office and said, “We are very proud to be given the opportunity to present this important award to Congresswoman Pryce.  She has worked tirelessly and with great dedication for the betterment of families and children everywhere.” 

“The ability Parents Anonymous has shown to strengthen families, to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to empower parents is priceless,” said Pryce.  She praised Parents Anonymous for its success in developing a public-private partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the U.S. Department of Justice.  The department, in turn, named the organization a model “Family Strengthening” program.  “It’s a privilege to support an organization with a mission as positive as Parents Anonymous,” Pryce concluded.    

“Congresswoman Pryce has had a longstanding commitment to supporting effective programs for strengthening families to prevent child abuse,” said Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, Parents Anonymous Inc. President and CEO.  Pion-Berlin also credits Pryce with the enactment of the Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act in 1999 calling it a “highlight” of the Congresswoman’s legislative career.  The law, authored by Pryce, uses common sense enforcement reforms to protect children from abuse and neglect.     

Parents Anonymous, founded in 1969, is a family service agency sponsored by Catholic Social Services that builds individual capacities, strengthens family relationships, and advocates for people in need. 

Joining the Congresswoman and Parents Anonymous Program Director, Lucy Cormier, for today’s presentation were Sandee Lee, Parenting Education Coordinator and Angie Santangelo, Division Director, Family Strengthening Services, both representing Catholic Social Services of Columbus; as well as Cory Pariseau and Tonya Long, both active members of the National Parent leadership Team of Parents Anonymous Inc.  

Congresswoman Pryce represents the Fifteenth District of Ohio, which includes Western Franklin County, Madison, and Union Counties.  She serves as Chairman of the House Republican Conference for the 108th Congress, making her the fourth ranking member of House leadership.  The Congresswoman also co-chairs the Cancer Caucus.