Press Release

HDI Announces New Congressional Advisory Board Members, July 6, 2012

For Immediate Release

July 6, 2012 

New York, NY:  The Humpty Dumpty Institute is pleased to announce that Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) have recently joined its Congressional Advisory Board. With these additional members, HDI's Congressional Advisory Board now consists of 29 Members of Congress. The commitment of Congresswoman Fudge and Congresswoman Wilson towards international dialogue and increased educational opportunities for all children will enhance HDI’s program planning in these important areas.

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge is a committed public servant who brings a hard-working, problem-solving spirit to Congress and to the task of creating jobs, attacking predatory lending, aiding small businesses, and improving health care, and education. Congresswoman Fudge is now serving in her third term, representing the citizens of the 11^th  Congressional District of Ohio . She was first elected in 2008 by special election, elected in the general election held that same month and again in 2010.  She is highly respected by her congressional colleagues for her insight, wisdom, strategic thinking, and honesty.  These characteristics were honed while serving as Warrensville Heights’ first African American female Mayor. As a dedicated public servant, she begins each morning with a firm promise “to do the people’s work.”

Congresswoman Fudge is a strong advocate for policies that protect citizens’ rights, stimulate economic growth, support small business and encourage job creation.  As a member of the Committee on Agriculture and a subcommittee ranking member, she has been focused on nutrition and feeding programs, urban farming and resources for traditional and non-traditional farmers. More specifically, Ms. Fudge continues her commitments to ending childhood obesity in a generation, stamping out hunger and monitoring the safety of our food supply. As a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, she is a staunch advocate for quality public education for all students, effective investment in our workforce and protecting workers’ rights. Congresswoman Fudge also has a demonstrated record of advocating for the protection of Medicare and Social Security, and has been vocal in her opposition to laws that limit the rights of Americans to vote, especially laws that disproportionately impact seniors, minorities, the disabled, and students.

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Throughout her life, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson has been a voice for the voiceless. Her lifelong desire for standing up for our most vulnerable populations is rooted in her faith, family, and passion for public service. In 1998, Wilson successfully ran for a seat in the Florida State House of Representatives, where she served as Minority Whip for four years until 2002. From 2002 to 2010, she served in the Florida State Senate, where she served as Minority Leader Pro Tempore and as Minority Lead Whip. She soon became known as the “Conscience of the Senate” for her willingness to tackle historically ignored issues. Her achievements include working with Republican Governor Jeb Bush to remove the Confederate flag from the State Capitol, mandating HIV/AIDS testing for newly-released prisoners, opposing high-stakes standardized testing , pushing for a ban of the term “illegal alien” in state public records, and partnering with Republican Governor Charlie Crist to restore voting rights for ex-felons. Wilson has a long history of working with her colleagues across the aisle to pass bipartisan legislation.

Wilson has been heralded by such diverse groups as the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, the American Cancer Society, Florida Cable Telecommunications Association, NAACP, and her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she served as the Director of the South Atlantic Region for four years and as Director of AKA Connections, the political action arm, for six years. She is also a 25 year member of the prestigious LINKS, Inc.

In 2010, Wilson emerged from a competitive nine person primary to win election overwhelmingly to represent the 17th District of Florida in the United States House of Representatives. The 17th District includes Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. In Congress, she serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where she is focused on America’s role on the global stage, particularly in Haiti and the Caribbean. As a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, she is committed to bringing jobs back to our communities and increasing STEM (Science, Technology, Energy, and Math) funding for our schools.

The Humpty Dumpty Institute is a unique non-profit organization serving people in the developing world through the implementation of large-scale humanitarian projects and through its work with the United Nations. Over the past six years, the Institute has implemented significant development projects in Angola, Mozambique, Lebanon,  Laos, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka and Myanmar. These projects are sponsored by individuals, foundations and governments.  In addition, HDI fosters dialogue between the United Nations and a variety of constituencies in the United States including the U.S. Congress, universities, and the creative community -- all designed to help the U.N. become an even more effective Institution.  For more information please visit our website at www.thehdi.org.