WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) was recently named a 2015 Champion of Children by the First Focus Campaign for Children.
Portman was recognized for his leadership on issues important to the health and well-being of children including improving the foster care system and protecting vulnerable Ohio children from human traffickers.
“Too many Ohio kids are facing difficult circumstances, and it’s up to us to look after those children who need some extra help,” Portman stated. “I’ve been proud to team up with Ohioans to ensure all kids have a shot at a good education, to improve our foster care system, to go after people who prey on children, and to prevent vulnerable kids from falling through the cracks. We’ve made good progress, but the work isn’t done and I am honored to receive this year’s Champion for Children Award.”
“Lots of politicians talk about kids’ issues, but few back it up,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the Campaign for Children. “Senators Brown and Portman and Representative Stivers delivered for kids.”
Portman has made helping Ohio’s vulnerable children a top priority. He is the author of the Homeless Children and Youth Act, a bill to expand the definition of homelessness used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Portman announced earlier this year that three of his bills to combat human trafficking have been signed into law.
Portman’s Bringing Missing Children Home Act will improve the way we find missing kids by refining and streamlining how cases of missing children are handled. His Combat Human Trafficking Act will strengthen law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute all who commit sex trafficking crimes. Also, his Ensuring a Better Response for Victims of Child Sex Trafficking requires that child victims of sex trafficking are considered victims of child abuse.
In selecting Champions, the First Focus Campaign for Children noted leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation to meet children’s needs. In addition, the organization considered Members who demonstrated extraordinary initiative by spearheading activities such as sponsoring hearings or garnering the support of their colleagues to improve the health and well-being of children.
