By Jessica L. Brady Roll Call Staff For his “wonderful background” and lobbying for education since entering Congress in January, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has been honored with the Committee for Education Funding’s 2003 Outstanding New Member Award.

At a gala last Thursday evening, former CEF President Cindy Littlefield presented the award to Van Hollen before 600 guests. Littlefield said Van Hollen’s 12 years in the Maryland General Assembly, where he helped triple spending for school construction and increased funding for higher education, made him a deserving recipient.

“We honor Members who have the courage and conviction to fight for education,” Littlefield said.

The freshman Member, who serves on the Education and the Workforce and Government Reform committees, is the seventh recipient of the award since its establishment in 1993.

“I am honored to receive this award,” Van Hollen said. “One of my top priorities is working to guarantee that American children have access to the best education in the world.”

In Congress, Van Hollen has lobbied for Head Start and introduced the Child PACT Act, which would give schools and educational organizations surplus computers from federal agencies.