PRESS RELEASE
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced that Erie County Family Court Judge Lisa Bloch Rodwin has been chosen by the U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus to receive the “Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation.” Judge Bloch Rodwin will accept the national award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
“For Judge Bloch Rodwin, the quest for justice isn’t simply what she does, it’s who she is,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “Throughout her lifetime of service she has sought not only to resolve the immediate challenge facing an individual victim or a family but pursued improvements to fix the system, change the law, elevate support services and ultimately prevent future occurrences of crime and abuse.”
Hon. Lisa Bloch Rodwin has served as Erie County Family Court Judge for a decade. Previously, from 1985 through 2008, she worked in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, where she served as Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit for 13 years. As a Judge she was chosen to be on the New York State Family Court Advisory Committee responsible for drafting and reviewing new family law legislation. She has also served on the NYS Advisory Council on Immigration Issues in Family Court, worked on a statewide committee responsible for drafting the Judicial Guide to Domestic Violence Risk Factors for Family and Supreme Court Judges throughout New York State, and directed a collaborative with the Department of Social Services focused on the reduction of the disproportionate number of minority children placed in foster care.
“Hon. Lisa Bloch Rodwin is an outstanding judge, charismatic leader and true champion of justice whose contributions have had a positive impact on policies and practices affecting the rights of domestic violence survivors and other crime victims. I congratulate her on this eminent, highly deserved award,” said New York State Court Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks.
The Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation is presented to a professional whose efforts had a significant impact on local, state, national or international public policy development and implementation that promotes dignity, respect, rights and services for crime victims.
“Victims’ rights advocates and those helping survivors of crime recover provide survivors with a lifeline when they need it the most,” said Rep. Costa (CA-16), co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus. “It is with deep gratitude and respect that we honor and recognize these devoted individuals for their tireless dedication and, far too often thankless, work.”
The award presented to Hon. Bloch Rodwin is named in honor of California Judge Lois Haight, who served as Chair of President Ronald Reagan’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, and pioneered policies that promoted crime victims’ rights and services.
“On behalf of Erie County Family Court and the court system’s Eighth Judicial District, we are immensely proud of Judge Bloch Rodwin for her leadership in this important arena. She has brought much-needed awareness to domestic violence and child welfare issues, also working diligently to implement systemic reforms and enhance services to improve the life chances of vulnerable children and families in Buffalo and beyond,” said Eighth Judicial District Administrative Judge Paula Feroleto.
The U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus will honor Judge Bloch Rodwin and other recipients at a ceremony on Capitol Hill at 10:00am on Thursday, April 12, 2018. The event will be livestreamed through the caucus website: https://vrc-poe.house.gov/home.
“Judge Lisa Bloch Rodwin has dedicated her life defending individuals and families,” said Congressman Ted Poe (TX-2). “Her unwavering support for victims is unparalleled. Judge Rodwin’s work has led to significant changes in local and state public policy, ensuring that victims of crime are treated with dignity and respect. The Lois Haight award pays tribute to California Judge Lois Haight who led pioneering efforts on behalf of crime victims that resulted in momentous public policy advances to promote crime victims’ rights and services. As Co-Chairman of the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus, I am confident that Judge Rodwin embodies the spirit of the Lois Haight Award.”
The mission of the U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus is to elevate crime victim issues in a bipartisan manner without infringing on the rights of the accused. Since 2006 the Caucus has honored outstanding individuals, agencies and collaborative initiatives whose efforts directly benefit victims and survivors of crime, and promote individual and public safety.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is recognized April 8-14, 2018 to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and the resources and services available. Resources in Western New York include:
Family Justice Center: http://www.fjcsafe.org/
Erie County District Attorney’s Office: http://www2.erie.gov/da/
Crisis Services: http://crisisservices.org/
Best Self Child Advocacy Center: http://bestselfwny.org/child-advocacy-center/
International Institute of Buffalo: https://iibuffalo.org/
Catholic Charities Victim Services: https://www.ccwny.org/services/victim-support
Jewish Family Services: http://www.jfsbuffalo.org/
It Happened to Alexa: http://www.ithappenedtoalexa.org/
