Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Named Winner for Democracy Awards
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Aug. 13, 2023) — The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) has announced that Rep. Mark DeSaulnier is a winner for a Democracy Award. CMF’s award recognizes non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices.
The group selected Rep. DeSaulnier for outstanding achievement for the category of Constituent Accountability and Accessiblity. This category recognizes offices that provide clear and relevant information on their work and publicly acknowledge metrics for that performance. DeSaulnier’s office also won in this category in 2019.
CMF honored eight House and Senate offices in four categories.
- Constituent Service.
- Innovation and Modernization.
- Constituent Accountability and Accessibility.
- “Life in Congress”-Workplace Environment.
Representative and Senate personal offices nominated themselves using an online questionnaire. CMF followed up with offices as necessary to gather documentation and assess the office’s adherence to the established criteria. A selection committee primarily comprised of congressional staff chose the winners. A Washington D.C. ceremony on Sept. 15, 2023, will honor the finalists and winners.
Find details on the process and the history of the Democracy Awards here.
Connecting with constituents
Among other noteworthy items, CMF cited for selecting Rep. DeSaulnier:
“The office also hosts regular virtual and mobile district office hours, which is an opportunity for constituents to meet by appointment one-on-one with Rep. DeSaulnier, with the Congressman spending approximately 30 minutes with each constituent or group. As with town halls, Mobile District Office Hours are advertised on social media, via email and in the office’s e-newsletter, “DeSaulnier’s Digest.” Rep. DeSaulnier routinely makes a special appeal on social media for those who disagree with him to sign up for an appointment so he can hear their point of view. Constituent emails and letters receive a response within 5 business days of receipt with an emphasis of turning around digital mail within 48-hours.”
The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1977 dedicated to strengthening Congress and building trust in its work with and for the American people. CMF works to revitalize Congress as an institution; promoting best practices in congressional offices; and helps Congress and the people they represent engage in a constructive and inclusive dialogue toward a thriving American democracy.