AARP Presents U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin with ‘Champion for the 50+’ Legislative Leadership Award

MADISON, WI – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today was presented with the AARP’s ‘Champion for the 50+’ Legislative Leadership Award by AARP Wisconsin staff and volunteers to recognize her commitment to supporting and improving the lives of family caregivers with the bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act (S.1719). 

“I am honored to receive this award from AARP and their members across the country and throughout Wisconsin. This effort is especially personal to me, as I was raised by my maternal grandparents and later served as my grandmother’s primary caretaker as she grew older,” said Senator Baldwin. “We have a shared responsibility to guarantee that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care, and the ability to live and age with support and dignity. That is why we worked on a bipartisan solution to support family caregivers with the goal of ensuring that everyone has access to the care and assistance they need. If we are serious about ensuring that our older adults and loved ones with disabilities receive the highest quality care in their own homes, we must formally recognize and support family caregivers as an official member of the health care and long-term care team.”

“The work Senator Baldwin has done to improve the lives of Wisconsin and American families as we age, and help to care for family members who are aging, will give current and future generations the opportunity to live their best lives,” said Sam Wilson, AARP Wisconsin State Director. “She has put partisanship aside to find solutions that have a substantial impact on the lives of Wisconsinites.”

The bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act, introduced by Senators Baldwin and Susan Collins (R-ME), would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and sustain a National Family Caregiving Strategy to support family caregivers. More than 50 national and state advocacy groups joined in support of the bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate unanimously less than a year ago. Senator Baldwin has toured the state of Wisconsin, promoting the legislation and hosting listening sessions in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Wausau with family caregivers.

The AARP’s ‘Champion for the 50+’ Legislative Award is one of AARP's highest honors which recognize legislators for their distinguished work to help improve the lives of our nation's seniors. The award is made on behalf of AARP’s nearly 38 million members, with over 840,000 in Wisconsin.

Photos of the award ceremony are available here.