WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), the Lead Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, was recognized by the Congressional Management Foundation as a national leader in constituent services and a winner of the 2020 Democracy Awards, which honor non-legislative performance in Congressional offices. Granger was selected for outstanding achievement in the category of Innovation and Modernization, an accolade for originality and creativity in constituent services and office operations.
Granger stated, “I have always seen constituent services as among Congress’ most important responsibilities, and my dedicated staff and I are committed to helping my constituents break through federal bureaucracy to get the help they need, whether it be related to Social Security, Medicare, or veterans’ benefits.
“Regardless of how partisan the legislative process may get in Washington, my staff and I always put constituent service ahead of politics. My office created and leads the North Texas Casework Roundtable, a bipartisan working group of federal agency representatives and staff in North Texas Congressional offices to discuss best practices for successful casework.
“I am honored that the Congressional Management Foundation has recognized my commitment to constituent services, as well as the humbling dedication, compassion, and ingenuity of my constituent services team, which uses the latest technology to expedite casework resolution. My office’s innovative use of modern communication like text messaging, photographs, and social media has helped countless Texans – for example, a mother of a disabled child obtained federal benefits allowing her to have more time to care for her son, and a sick veteran promptly received the attention he needed from the VA right after my office intervened.
“In times like these, my staff and I know that the work we do on my constituents’ behalf is more important than ever. My office has successfully resolved nearly 750 cases for constituents this year, an above-average number. For my staff, constituent service is more a calling than an obligation. I congratulate my team for this well-deserved recognition. We’re going to keep fighting for the people of Texas 12, every day."
President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation Bradford Fitch said, “As a Democracy Award winner, Rep. Granger’s office is clearly one of the best in Congress. This designation demonstrates that Rep. Granger has made a significant commitment to being the best public servant for her constituents in Texas. Rep. Granger and her staff are to be congratulated for not only being a model for her colleagues in Congress, but for helping to restore trust and faith that our democratic institutions can work.
"The office of Rep. Kay Granger approaches Innovation and Modernization with the question, ‘How can we use everyday technology to assist today’s constituents in a simple way?’ For example, when constituents don’t have easy access to printers, copiers, or scanners, the office’s caseworkers developed the idea to accept evidence and documents via cell phone photos. And that goes both ways – when a constituent was having trouble reaching Veterans Affairs’ for medical coverage, the office took a photo of the constituent to send to the agency. Last year, the office kick started a social media initiative that included regularly posting to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additionally, the office conducts semi-annual caseworker roundtables – non-partisan discussions that include constituent service staff from all over North Texas, as well as executive branch agency representatives. The office sees its commitment to Innovation and Modernization as starting with the Member, who openly empowers staff to devise solutions and solve problems."
BACKGROUND:
The Congressional Management Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to build trust and effectiveness in Congress, organized a committee of former Members of Congress and former congressional staffers to select two winners (one Democrat and one Republican) in each of the categories of the 2020 Democracy Awards: Constituent Service; Innovation and Modernization; Transparency and Accountability; and “Life in Congress"-Workplace Environment. An awards ceremony to honor finalists and winners will be held on September 17, 2020. Congresswoman Granger receives the 2020 Democracy Award for Innovation and Modernization with Democratic Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41).