Washington, DC – Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) were honored by the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) during their first Friends Changemaker Weekend, taking place through April 14. Rep. Jayapal received the Edward F. Snyder Award for Peace and Sen. Van Hollen was granted the Justice Award.
The Snyder Award honors Rep. Jayapal for her tireless work to end the genocide in Gaza, reduce the suffering of those harmed by violent conflict, repeal outdated war authorizations, and rein in runaway Pentagon spending. Vew Rep. Jayapal’s remarks accepting the award here.
“We are grateful for her persistent work to reassert Congress’ constitutional war powers and to push back against the reckless militarism that is costing so many innocent lives.”
“Rep. Jayapal’s commitment to peace is evident not only through her leadership in efforts to prevent the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel and end the genocide in Gaza, but also through her tireless commitment to advance respect for international law,” FCNL’s General Secretary Bridget Moix commented. “We are grateful for her persistent work to reassert Congress’ constitutional war powers and to push back against the reckless militarism that is costing so many innocent lives.”
The Justice Award honors Sen. Van Hollen for his leadership in strengthening federal investments in community safety to reduce gun violence, protecting the Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, and honoring the work of violence interrupters. View Sen. Van Hollen’s remarks accepting the award here.
“His leadership in Congress for justice, peace, and human dignity for all is a beacon of hope at a time our country really needs it.”
“We applaud Sen. Van Hollen’s devotion to a catalog of our domestic and foreign policy priorities for the world we seek, including saving countless lives with his adept legislative efforts to fund the Community Violence Intervention and Prevention initiative and his steadfast commitment to supporting our immigrant neighbors,” said Moix, “His leadership in Congress for justice, peace, and human dignity for all is a beacon of hope at a time our country really needs it.”
These awards were given during FCNL’s inaugural Friends Changemaker Weekend, which has brought hundreds of advocates from across the United States to lobby Congress for no more funding for war on Iran.
The Snyder Award for National Legislative Leadership in Advancing Disarmament and Building Peace is presented annually to an outstanding member of Congress who has displayed leadership in advancing legislative priorities consistent with those advocated by FCNL. The FCNL Justice Award recognizes members of Congress who have advanced policies to create a more just society and country, unapologetically recognizing the dignity of all people.
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