Washington, DC (December 21, 2007) – Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd has been honored by the non-profit agency Save the Children for his leadership in addressing the needs of millions of vulnerable children in the United States and worldwide.

In selecting Dodd as the latest recipient of its Congressional Champion for Real and Lasting Change Award, Save the Children noted Dodd's leadership in the Senate this year in proposing new legislation to reduce child mortality worldwide as well as to support children impacted by disasters in the United States.

"With this award, we are honoring your vigorous support for children in need in the United States and around the world," said Save the Children President and CEO Charles MacCormack. "You have been a partner of Save the Children in working to reduce child mortality and improve the health of children in developing countries by sponsoring the Global Child Survival Act (S. 1418), and you have provided critical leadership to help meet the needs of children affected by emergencies here at home by sponsoring the Addressing the Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007 (S. 1970)."

MacCormack noted that earlier this week Congress passed legislation to establish the National Commission on Children and Disasters, one of the agency's top domestic legislative priorities. "You have played a critical role in helping government officials understand that they need to do much more in helping children survive and recover from disasters in the United States," MacCormack said.

MacCormack also noted that the Senator has played a critical role in proposing legislation that would prevent millions of deaths of children under age five in the developing world from preventable and treatable diseases like pneumonia. The legislation is still pending in Congress.

"We look forward to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee taking up S. 1418 in its first business meeting next year so Congress can recommit the United States early in 2008 to lead the way in improving children's health by expanding funding for proven solutions like antibiotics and immunizations," MacCormack said.