Washington, DC – Throughout his time in office, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has been a champion for children and families in Rhode Island and across the country. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) recently honored Whitehouse’s record of advocacy by giving him their 2012 Congressional Voice for Children Award. Whitehouse joined Rhode Island PTA President Gina Cabral, Rhode Island PTA President-Elect Pamela O’Brien, and officers of the National PTA at the organization’s Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.
“I was honored to be recognized by an organization with such a strong tradition of fighting for our children,” said Whitehouse. “Effective family-school partnerships are a key building block in improving our education system, and I look forward to working with the PTA to strengthen family engagement policies, especially in the critical middle-school years.”
“We’re proud to honor Senator Whitehouse with this prestigious award. The Senator has been a steadfast supporter of family engagement, including cosponsoring the 2011 Family Engagement in Education Act in the current session of Congress. Senator Whitehouse is also a champion of the middle school grades, dating back to his time as Rhode Island’s Attorney General. Our nation’s families are fortunate to have a true advocate for children in Senator Whitehouse,” said Betsy Landers, National PTA President.
Whitehouse was recognized by the National PTA for his cosponsorship of the Family Engagement in Education Act, legislation to provide incentives to schools and districts to engage families to close the achievement gap, and for championing Parent Information and Resource Centers during Senate negotiations on a key elementary and secondary education bill. Whitehouse is also the lead sponsor of the Success in the Middle Act, which would provide funding to struggling middle schools and high schools to prevent students from falling behind.
The National PTA describes itself as the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation. They are devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. The group is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association.
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