Fattah to be Honored by U.S. Dream Academy as Champion of America's Youth

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) will be honored with the 2014 President's Award by the U.S. Dream Academy today in Washington. Fattah is being recognized at the organization's 13^th Annual Power of a Dream Gala for his career-spanning commitment to helping improve the life chances of America's youth. The Congressman has been a supporter of the Dream Academy since they opened their first Philadelphia Learning Center in 2002.

"Few people in Congress have dedicated their service to providing opportunities for the disadvantaged as Congressman Fattah," said Wintley Phipps, Founder and CEO of the U.S. Dream Academy. "This is our small way of letting him know that his support is a source of tremendous encouragement to our community."

The Dream Academy offers innovative afterschool and mentoring centers in eight cities across the country; more than 1,000 students are engaged in their research-based programs that include one-on-one mentoring, academics, and technology-driven activities and curricula.

"It is an honor to be recognized by the leadership and Board of Directors of the U.S. Dream Academy—especially to join the company of so many colleagues and friends who have spent their careers advocating on behalf of our nation's youth," Congressman Fattah said. "The Dream Academy shares my commitment to ensuring our future generations have access to a quality education and a support network that helps them realize their fullest potential. Together, we will continue our push to expand mentoring opportunities nationwide, and make sure no child who needs a mentor is without one."

The President's Award is given to individuals who have achieved significant success in their field and used that success as a catalyst to break down barriers and open doors of access and opportunity for traditionally overlooked populations, including children, women and minorities. Past recipients of the award include Congressman Elijah Cummings, The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, Dr. Dorothy Height, The Honorable Orrin Hatch; George Johnson, founder and former CEO of Johnson Products, and Mark Ingram Jr., New Orleans Saints Football Team.

The Dream Academy President's Award is the latest recognition bestowed on Congressman Fattah this year for his unparalleled leadership and advocacy around his core legislative priorities, specifically youth mentoring, science and health research, and education. Fattah is the architect of GEAR UP, a nationally lauded college access and mentoring program that has helped 13 million students since being signed into law by President Clinton in 1998. He was honored this year by MENTOR with the Congressional Champion of Mentoring Award and by the National Urban League with their Congressional Leadership Award for Championing Access to Vital Resources for Disconnected Youth. In February, he accepted the Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy by Research!America.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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