LANSING – Lutheran Child and Family Services of Michigan today announced that they are honoring State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton) with their Friend of Children Award at an award reception this Friday, May 2, 2008 in Pontiac. Spade, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee for the Department of Human Services, is being honored for his work on behalf of children and families in Michigan.
"It is a great privilege to receive the Friend of Children Award from Lutheran Child and Family Services of Michigan," Rep. Spade said. "They do extraordinary work for the children in our state and to be recognized by them is truly an honor. Our children are our future and we can make no greater investment than supporting and loving them. They also have tremendous potential and, working together, we can tackle the problems they face and help them get on the right track. I want to thank Lutheran Child and Family Services for recognizing me for my work toward that end."
The Friend of Children Award is Rep. Spade's third award for children's advocacy in 2008. The Lenawee legislator was named a Champion for Children Award by Orchards Children's Services earlier this month and was recognized by Wolverine Human Services in March with their 2008 Achievement Award. Before coming to the legislature, Spade spent his entire career of over 25 years working as a child and family advocate. Now in his second term in the legislature, Representative Spade also carries his role as a child advocate on the School Aid Fund and Department of Education Appropriations Subcommittee and previously served on the Family and Children Services Committee.