PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) was honored this morning as the first recipient of the Samuel S. Fels Award for Alumni Achievement.  The award honors his distinguished leadership and numerous accomplishments in public service.

Fattah, a 1986 graduate of Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, has served in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate, and has represented Pennsylvania’s Second Congressional District since 1995.  Prior to elected office, he held several senior positions in Philadelphia government.  Fattah’s congressional district includes the University of Pennsylvania.

“I can think of no more fitting person to receive the first Samuel S. Fels Award for Alumni Achievement than Representative Chaka Fattah.  His dedication to public service embodies Samuel Fels’ vision for a government of dedicated and well-trained leaders,” said Fels Center Director Lawrence W. Sherman, the Albert M. Greenfield Professor of Human Relations at the University of Pennsylvania.

"I am honored to be the first recipient of this award," said Congressman Fattah. "The Fels Center is where my commitment to public service was reinforced.  It is my hope that this educational experience will go on to prepare many of our future leaders in good government."

The Fels Center, founded in 1937 to apply best practices to state and local governments, has one of the oldest public management programs in the nation.  It awards a Masters in Government Affairs degree.