ROCKVILLE, MD – Goodwill Industries International is pleased to honor Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) as a recipient of its Goodwill® National Policymaker Award for 2012. The award recognizes a federal lawmaker who has clearly demonstrated support for Goodwill’s public policy priorities.
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas (Austin) nominated Cornyn for his support of Goodwill’s policy priorities, including supporting legislation for programs that assist people with disabilities and disadvantages. As a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, the senator played an integral role as a co-sponsor of the Helping Our Homeless Veterans Act of 2011, which enabled Goodwill to provide housing programs for veterans who are homeless as well as other services including financial assistance, transportation services, employment, training, education and job placement assistance, family and child services, and legal services. The senator was also a strong advocate of the community-based job training grant program, which has provided millions in funding to community and technical colleges in Texas for workforce training. Cornyn also supported funding for vulnerable populations, including funding opportunities for job placements for people with disabilities and funding for the Fatherhood Works program, which provides job placement, job readiness training, parenting support, financial education, and retention services for noncustodial parents who are behind on their child support payments. The program has been a success and received a second grant in 2011, which has enhanced its vocational training and other support services.
“Senator Cornyn deeply cares about Goodwill’s initiatives, and is an avid supporter of the job training programs and support services that Goodwill provides for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment,” said Jerry Davis, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Texas.
At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, Cornyn was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day, Local to Global: Strengthening our Community.
“Goodwill is a job creator and has served people within the Austin area and beyond by providing them with job training opportunities and the tools to advance their skills,” said Cornyn.
