{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-honored-with-the-leader-in-adult-autism-award-by-the-daniel-jordan-fiddle-foundation", "Menendez Honored with the Leader in Adult Autism Award by The Daniel Jordan Fiddle FoundationRead More", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M000639", "www.menendez.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON,\r\nD.C.  In a virtual ceremony yesterday, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior\r\nmember of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy and the\r\nauthor of the Autism CARES Act that guides federal investment in autism\r\nspectrum disorder (ASD) research and programs, was presented with The Daniel\r\nJordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award by the Foundation and the\r\nAutism Society of America. Throughout his time in Congress, Sen. Menendez has\r\nbeen the leading advocate for individuals with ASD and their families. New\r\nJersey has the highest rate of autism, with one in 34 children identified with\r\nASD. I am deeply\r\nhonored to accept this award and would like to thank my good friend, Linda\r\nWalder, and everyone at the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation for selecting me as\r\nthis year's recipient of the Leader in Adult Autism Award, said Sen.\r\nMenendez. I am proud of the collaboration between my office, the\r\nfoundation, and the Autism Society of America. I look forward to continuing to\r\nwork with all of you in the next Congress to build upon our current work to\r\nsupport families and help individuals with ASD reach their full potential.  Working with\r\nall of you on important legislation, such as Autism CARES, has been one of the\r\ngreatest honors of my career. I want every child and adult with ASD, here in\r\nNew Jersey and across the country, to know that they have an ally, a champion\r\nand an advocate in the United States Congress and you will always have my\r\nutmost support, added Sen. Menendez.  CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO  Since its\r\ninception in 2016, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism\r\nAward is presented annually by the Autism Society of America to recognize\r\ninspirational leaders and champions who by virtue of their efforts and example\r\nimprove the lives of individuals diagnosed with ASD, not only as children but\r\nthroughout their adult lives. Senator\r\nMenendez's tireless leadership and vigorous support of the Autism community\r\nmakes him unquestionably a most worthy recipient of this honor, said Linda\r\nWalder, Founder and Executive Director of the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation.\r\nThe Senator has been a tireless advocate for people with Autism notably as the\r\nlead sponsor of the original Autism CARES Act in 2006 and every reauthorization\r\nthereafter. One of the key aspects of this legislation is to provide much\r\nneeded funding that addresses the needs of the growing population of adults\r\nliving with Autism, which has been the focal point of our mission since our\r\ninception in 2002. The Daniel\r\nJordan Fiddle Foundation, founded in 2002, is named in memory of Walder's son,\r\nDanny Fiddle who lived with ASD until he passed away at the age of nine. The\r\nFoundation's programs, resources and public policy awareness initiatives center\r\non the needs of the diverse population of adults diagnosed with ASD and their\r\nfamilies. We are so\r\nhonored to be able to present this prestigious award to Senator Menendez, said\r\nChristopher Banks, President and CEO, Autism Society of America. Senator\r\nMenendez has been a tremendous advocate for people with autism. We look forward\r\nto our continued work together in the new Congress. Last year, Sen.\r\nMenendez's Autism Collaboration,\r\nAccountability, Research, Education and Support (Autism CARES) Act of 2019 was passed and signed into law. The bipartisan bill, which builds upon\r\nthe 2014 Menendez-authored law, shapes federal autism policy and\r\ninvestment in research, early detection, and research to develop new treatments\r\nand therapies for those with ASD and other developmental disabilities. The 2019\r\nlaw also considers the needs of individuals with ASD well into adulthood and\r\nacross [their] lifetime. The Senator was also one of the original authors of\r\nthe Autism CARES Act of 2006.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-honored-with-the-leader-in-adult-autism-award-by-the-daniel-jordan-fiddle-foundation"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8828318677842617, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}