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BEST OF CONGRESS '08 Q & A

Q: How does a Member of Congress win the Corporate Voices for Working Families/Working Mother Media Best of Congress Award?

A: Members of Congress will be judged on voting records and demonstrated efforts to support working families through long-term, practical solutions. Members will also be judged on employment practices or policies in their office that are designed to help working families.

Corporate Voices for Working Families will review
• Voting record;
• Sponsored proposals; and
• Efforts to promote those proposals.

In judging the legislators, the Best of Congress Steering Committee will focus on efforts to advance economically sound policies that support and create opportunities for working families. Particular attention will be given to efforts that support the critical issues including: Afterschool Care and Early Childhood Education, Youth Transitions, Mature Workforce, Flexibility, and Family Economic Stability.

Q: Why should Members of Congress care about how they are rated regardingworking families?

A: Eight in ten America families have both parents working outside the home making large numbers of voting Americans members of a working family. Members of Congress care about the issues that are important to their constituents. The “Best of Congress” Award will recognize members for their work and support of policies and programs that improve the quality of life for America’s workers and their families.

Q: What will they get when they win?

A: Winning Members of Congress will be:
• Profiled in the September 2008 issue of Working Mother magazine;
• Honored at a gala dinner in September 2008.
• Highlighted in an advertisement to run on the day of the gala in the Washington Post or Roll Call and their hometown newspaper.
• Profiled in Corporate Voices' blog on the Working Mother website;
• Profiled in a press release announcing the winners;
• Highlighted on the websites of Corporate Voices' 65 strategic partner organizations including the Society for Human Resource Management and the Conference Board.

In addition, CVWF staff will work with the Members office to highlight the award in local state media.

Q: How will this award impact a Members career or campaign?

A: Members of Congress awarded the “Best of Congress” Award will be highlighted when they win, and then again every two years as a past-winner.

Members can highlight their achievements that in Congressional updates to constituents, earned, and paid media.

Q: Why is it important to business that Members of Congress have a good record on family-friendly policies?

A: The dual responsibility of work and family is not just a working woman’s issue, it is a working family issue. Public policy is urgently needed to address the problems caused in the American economy by the lack of family/worker supports that are available in other countries including:

• affordable child care,
• paid family leave policies,
• limits on mandatory overtime, and
• scheduling flexibility.

Many American businesses have already implemented programs to support workers, children and families. But American business knows so much more still needs to be done and long-term solutions will only be identified and implemented when private and public leaders work together on sustainable policies. This award will highlight Members of Congress who understand the needs of employers and employees and who strive to enact policies that support both constituencies.

Q: How will business be able to use this award?

A: Companies can use this award to determine how Members of Congress are voting on issues that are important to them such as funding for Afterschool programs or policies to help mature workers stay in the workforce with penalty.

Many companies have various programs to support working families and this award can help them see where their company policies intersect with the goals and accomplishments of public policy makers.

Q: Why should the media care about another award?

A: The Corporate Voices for Working Families/Working Mother Media “Best of Congress” award is not just another award. For the first time, there is an award that will hold Members of Congress accountable and recognize them for their efforts on behalf of the American worker and their families. Many awards recognize companies for the family friendly policies they offer, this award will acknowledge and highlight where Members of Congress have made efforts to support family friendly policies and improve the lives of working Americans.

Q: How often is the award given out?

A: Every two years.

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