JEFFERSON CITY — Senator Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, was recognized today by the Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies (MCCA) with its 2013 Champion for Children Award for his tireless legislative work to advance the well-being of Missouri’s children and families. 

"Senator Dixon has always been a strong leader who considers the interests of Missouri’s most vulnerable when addressing public policy issues,” said MCCA executive director Mary Chant. “His ardent leadership in restoring and protecting benevolent tax credits ensures local communities have the ability to address community problems. With them, Missouri’s children- and family-serving organizations can continue to grow the private partnerships key to building and supporting successful communities.” 

“I am honored to receive this award, and I thank MCCA for this recognition,” said Sen. Dixon. “It was my privilege to work with MCCA and a widespread coalition to extend these benevolent tax credits and renew our investment in an ounce of prevention.”

This year, Sen. Dixon sponsored Senate Bills 20, 15 and 19, which renewed or extended several benevolent tax credit programs, including the Champion for Children Tax Credit (formerly the Children in Crisis Tax Credit). For those which had expired previously, such as the Champion for Children tax credit, the legislation made contributions on or after Jan. 1, 2013, eligible for the renewed tax credits.  

Made up of more than 50 members, mostly child- and family-serving organizations representing a vast range of services, MCCA has been advocating for more than 35 years for Missouri’s at-risk, abused and neglected children, and the people who care for them. The presentation of the award was made at the MCCA 2013 Champions for Change conference on Nov. 13, 2013, at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo.