Ohio Representative chosen for his dedication to the people of Columbus
Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is pleased to name Ohio Representative Dan Stewart the 2007 Public Elected Official of the Year honoring his dedication to improving areas of concern for the social work profession and for the citizens of Ohio.
Since his election in 2002, Rep. Stewart has made a public commitment to improving the quality of life in Ohio, protecting the most vulnerable populations and addressing social issues in a way that strengthens the Columbus community and the entire state of Ohio.
“Rep. Stewart has worked to improve educational opportunities at all levels, worked to bring much-needed healthcare to poor and elderly, and has fought continually to ensure equal rights for all,” says Dr. Elizabeth Clark, NASW executive director. “His dedication to the people of Ohio is remarkable.”
Social justice and human rights are at the core of his work as a state legislator and as a representative of the people. Rep. Stewart vocally opposed efforts to write discrimination into the Ohio Constitution in 2003 when the House passed the Defense of Marriage Act to deny civil marriage rights to unmarried couples.
Rep. Stewart recently fought against a tax amendment that would damage funding of social service programs necessary to sustain many Ohioans. He worked in tandem with the NASW Ohio Chapter in opposing this amendment in the 2006 legislative session. He introduced an amendment to another bill to add $25 million in funding to help the poor and elderly with rising heating costs.
Believing in a woman’s right to self-determination, Rep. Stewart has introduced two bills that uphold women’s rights. The Contraceptive Equity bill would prohibit the exclusion of birth control from insurance plans that cover prescriptions. EC in the ER would provide information about and access to emergency contraception in the hospital emergency room to victims of rape.
NASW is pleased to award Rep. Dan Stewart as the 2007 Public Elected Official of the Year.
To interview Rep. Stewart about this award, please contact NASW Communications at media@naswdc.org or 202-336-8228. For more information about NASW, please visit www.socialworkers.org.
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The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, D.C., is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 150,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.