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State Rep. Dudley Spade receives the Doing Something Wonderful Legislative Award from Michigan's Children. Rep. Spade, recognized by the group as a "visionary freshman legislator," serves on the Family and Children Services Committee. He received the award from Sharon Peters, president and CEO of Michigan's Children, at the Much Ado About Something Wonderful benefit Nov. 29 in Lansing.
LANSING, Mich. - A long time child welfare advocate in Michigan with over 25 years of experience working for two different child care organizations, State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton), was honored this week with the Doing Something Wonderful Legislative Award from Michigan's Children. Representative Spade, who was recognized by the group as a "visionary freshman legislator," serves on the Family and Children Services Committee where he has had the opportunity to apply his experience as a child advocate for the benefit of all of Michigan's children.
"I promised when I came to Lansing that I would fight for children in our State," Spade said to the group assembled at the Michigan's Children Much Ado about Something Wonderful reception Tuesday evening. "But, it is easy for us to get caught up in the daily battles we fight. While none of us do this job for recognition, it is wonderful to be honored and this award is special to me. It reminds me that I am keeping the promise I made to myself, my constituents, and the children of Michigan."
Spade, who spent 17 years as the Controller at Boysville of Michigan (now Holy Cross Services) and continued his service to child advocacy charities at Starr Commonwealth, most recently in the capacity of Director of Information Systems and Technology, has been recognized before for his work on behalf of Michigan's children. Under Spade's watch, Starr Commonwealth was noted by Consumer's Digest as the 6th most efficient charity in the nation. Additionally, in 1994 Spade was awarded the first annual Michigan Federation of Private Child and Family Agencies' Peer Award for outstanding dedication in service to Michigan's families and children.
"Every child belongs to all of us," Spade said. "They are not born Republican or Democratic, Conservative or Liberal. They are just born kids . . . our kids and I am proud to be able to serve them."