Congressman Fattah Honored in New York as He Helps College Accessibility Charity

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), a leading voice in the Congress for educational advancement and college opportunities for low income, underserved youth, is being honored tonight by Living Measure, a New York based charitable organization of young professionals.

Tonight's event – at which Fattah is the keynote speaker – benefits Rise To College, which works with high school students on college access, applications, standardized testing, and scholarships. The eight-term Congressman from Philadelphia will receive the "Living Measure Vanguard Award."

Living Measure, which organized tonight's benefit at Libation, a popular Manhattan restaurant, is a non-profit that raises funds for charities through young professional events. Past efforts have aided the eradication of malaria, post and pre-earthquake Haiti, GEMS (an organization focused on mentoring young girls), and other causes.

"Congressman Chaka Fattah has been a vanguard of the national education discussion," said Obinna Onyeagoro, an international banking official and founder of Living Measure. "He has been vigilant and tireless in pushing to improve the quality of education for all children and particularly those that come from humble beginnings.  I am in awe of his commitment to leveling the playing field for our young people."

The Vanguard Award is the second award this week for Fattah. On Tuesday, he received the "Best of Congress Award" for improving the quality of life for working families, from Working Mother Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families. It is the second time he has won the "Best of Congress Award."

Fattah is Chairman of the Congressional Urban Caucus and Pennsylvania's senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. He has authored major education and housing legislation, including Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), the 2009 American Opportunity Tax Credit to aid tuition and college expenses, and, within the past month, the Emergency Homeowners Relief Fund.

"I have traveled this country to work for and meet young people from modest backgrounds who are looking for an opportunity to advance their life chances through higher education," Fattah said. "Living Measure and Rise To College, many of whose members have benefited from this kind of support, are to be commended for their hard, unselfish work to advance these goals."

Dale Burnett, Co-Chairman of Rise To College, stated: "Rise To College is proud to be a part of honoring Congressman Fattah. His leadership through the GEAR UP Program, The Student Aid Act and the American Opportunity Tax Credit has literally changed the accessibility of education for every American child.

"The Congressman's work perfectly aligns with Rise To College's goal of propelling working class kids into institutions of higher learning," Burnett said. "When we considered the Congressman's demonstrated passion for education and his commitment to the advancement of educational opportunities for the underserved, there was no person better to recognize."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah