WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) announced Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is a finalist for the first-ever Democracy Awards, CMF’s new award recognizing non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices.

Johnson has been selected for outstanding accomplishments for the category of Constituent Service. The Constituent Service category honors offices for their outstanding practices or achievements acting as ombudsmen with the federal government or responding to constituent requests and inquiries.

“As a finalist in Constituent Service for a Democracy Award, Rep. Johnson and his district office is clearly one of the best in Congress,” Bradford Fitch, president and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, said. “This designation demonstrates that Rep. Johnson has made a significant commitment to be the best public servant for his constituents in Georgia. Rep. Johnson and his staff are to be congratulated for not only being a model for colleagues in Congress, but for helping to restore trust and faith that our democratic institutions can work,” he said.

Johnson is the only member of the Georgia delegation to be recognized by the CMF.

“When I ran for Congress in 2006, I made a commitment to constituents that I would “take care of home first,” Johnson said. “I see my mission, and the mission of my staff, to offer the best constituent services we can and I think this recognition reflects our commitment to Fourth District residents.”

Since taking office in 2007, Johnson has worked to help secure more than $60 million for constituents seeking help with federal agencies from his district office in Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County – more than 700,000 residents.

“Helping constituents solve seemingly intractable problems is what my district office does every day. I’m proud that my staff has been able to help so many constituents receive the money and benefits due them from the federal government. Taking care of home first is my number one priority,” Johnson said.

Twenty House and Senate offices were honored as finalists in four categories: Constituent Service, Innovation, Transparency and Accountability, and “Life in Congress” – Workplace Environment. A committee comprised primarily of former members of Congress and former congressional staffers will select the two winners (one Democrat and one Republican) for each of the categories. Winners will be announced in mid-May.