WASHINGTON – The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) today announced that Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) is a finalist for the Democracy Awards, CMF’s honors program recognizing non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices. Congressman Wittman was selected for outstanding achievement in the category of Constituent Service, which recognizes offices for their outstanding practices or achievements acting as ombudsmen with the federal government or responding to constituent requests and inquiries.

“It is an honor to be named a finalist of the Congressional Management Foundation Democracy Awards’ Constituent Service category,” said Rep. Wittman. “My number one priority is listening to the people I represent and using their thoughts, concerns, and insights to better represent them in Washington. I am so grateful for my staff as they too are public servants dedicated to constituent service. We have a one-stop-shop mentality in my office, and we work tirelessly to ensure that constituents contacting our office get the best service possible.

Twenty-four House and Senate offices are honored as finalists in four categories: Constituent Service; "Life in Congress"-Workplace Environment; Transparency and Accountability; and Innovation and Modernization. House and Senate offices self-nominated for the categories using an online questionnaire, then CMF staff selected the finalists based on a rigorous checklist of qualifications, as well as interviews to assess the office’s adherence to the established criteria.

“Now, more than ever, we need examples of our government functioning at its highest level. As a finalist in Constituent Service for a Democracy Award, the office of Rep. Rob Wittman is clearly one of the best in Congress,” said Bradford Fitch, President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. “This designation demonstrates that Rep. Wittman has made a significant commitment to being the best public servant for his constituents. Rep. Wittman and staff are to be congratulated for not only being a model for colleagues in Congress, but for helping to restore trust and faith that our democratic institutions can work,” he said.

A committee comprised primarily of former Members of Congress and former congressional staffers will select the two winners (one Democracy and one Republican) for each of the categories. Winners will be announced in a few months. An awards ceremony to honor finalists and winners will be held on September 17, 2020, Constitution Day, a national holiday to commemorate the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.

CMF is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to build trust and effectiveness in Congress. Since 1977, CMF has worked internally with Member, committee, leadership, and institutional offices in the House and Senate to identify and disseminate best practices for management, workplace environment, communications, and constituent services. CMF also is the leading researcher and trainer on citizen engagement, educating thousands of individuals and facilitating better relationships with Congress.