Washington, D.C. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva has been named as one of the “Best of Congress” for 2012 by Working Mother Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families. The award recognizes both his leadership as a Member of Congressand his office policies that support families and working people. Grijalva also won the award in 2010.
Grijalva is profiled in the August/September 2012 issue of Working Mother magazine and atthe special Web site for the award at http://bit.ly/O9Uirl. His workplace policies are detailed at the Corporate Voices for Working Families Web site, and will be promoted to new members of the 113th session of Congress next January.
“Millions of working mothers and fathers across the nation are managing jobs, caring for their children and planning for their future, and the least we can do in Congress is make it easier,” Grijalva said. “I’m very proud to have earned this recognition, but I’m more proud to represent so many hard-working people in Southern Arizona who find ways to balance work and family life every day even in a difficult economy.Helping make that balance possible is my job in Washington, and I’m glad that Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother Media take the time to recognize how important this issue is every day.”
Grijalva has been a leader for many years in promoting pro-worker and pro-family legislation. He has introduced or co-sponsored more than 20 bills this session to create jobs, improve pay standards, or make sure women are treated equally in the workplace. He allows flexible work time for his own staff to attend school or address medical needs.
“When we launched this prestigious recognition in 2008, we wanted to elevate the discussion and policy debate on working family issues, and we wanted to demonstrate that these are not partisan issues,” said Donna Klein, CEO and Executive Chair of Corporate Voices. “As the wide diversity of this year’s class shows, support for working parents can unite policymakers across ideological lines.”
“Most people don’t realize that our Congressional representatives each set their own policies for the staff they employ,” said Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media. “Those who allow their employees flexible work arrangements and paid family leave are leading by example. Working Mother wants all Senators and Representatives to provide exemplary support for their employees and their working mom and dad constituents.”