The Congressional Service Award recognizes members of the United States Congress or a federal agency for their outstanding support of federal education legislation and Educational Service Agencies (ESAs). Each year, AESA honors one or more members of Congress who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy in advancing the federal role and funding of ESAs.
Criteria for the Award
- Strong support for expanding the federal role and funding for ESAs.
- Advocacy for positions on federal legislation that aligns with AESA's mission.
- Leadership on or membership in congressional committees sponsoring ESA-related legislation.
Recognizing our elected officials for their support is crucial to advancing the work of ESAs.
This award is presented at the Advocacy in Action Conference in Washington, D.C.
2026 Recipient
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, MN
AESA has named U.S. Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota the recipient of the 2026 AESA Congressional Service Award, recognizing her support for education, workforce development, and regional partnerships that strengthen STEM learning and connect education with workforce opportunities.