PHOENIX, AZ – Easter Seals national honored Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) for her work improving the lives of people with disabilities. Rep. Woolsey was presented the 2004 Outstanding Advocate Award for an Federal Official as part of the Easter Seals’ 2004 National Convention at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

“It is an honor to present Rep. Woolsey with the Outstanding Advocate Award for her work on Capitol Hill. She believes in making the American Dream accessible to all and has worked to expand opportunities for people with disabilities in employment, access to health care, affordable housing, transportation, and polling places,” Lou Lowenkron, Easter Seals’ Board Chairman.

“I’m grateful, but it’s really you that deserves the award,” said Rep. Woolsey to the audience at the convention. “Easter Seals has led the way in protecting the rights and advancing the dignity of disabled people by empowering them to have independent lives full of love, laughter, and accomplishment that so many of us take for granted.”

“But there’s plenty of unfinished business too. I know that’s certainly the case in Congress,” said Woolsey. As the Leading Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee’s Subcommittee that handles all elementary and secondary education issues, Rep. Woolsey is working to improve the lives of children with disabilities by fighting to fully fund IDEA and through her legislation, “The Balancing Act” H.R. 3780, she is working to expand child care options for all families including investment in child care activities for the youngest children and children with disabilities.

“The “Balancing Act” is at the very top of my agenda, as is fighting for the rights of all Americans who are at risk of being isolated or marginalized by our society,” said Rep. Woolsey. “There is work to be done – attitudes to be changed, prejudices to be conquered, status quos to be upended. Thank you again for this honor.”

Past Outstanding Advocate Award Winners include U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, U.S. Representative George Miller, and State Senator Wesley Chesbro. The Easter Seals California and Government Relations Team nominated Rep. Woolsey with strong and enthusiastic endorsement by the Easter Seals National Board of Directors.

As the Chair of the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Children and Families, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey is dedicated to giving working families the tools they need to take care of their children. The Children and Families Task Force is tackling issues such as paid family leave; health care for children; and child safety. Rep. Woolsey is working to expand childcare for infants and children whose parents work non-traditional hours, and to improve child support collection.