Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, received the 2008 Legislator of the Year award from the National Association of Social Workers earlier this month in Denver.

On Saturday, local social workers will celebrate the honor with a luncheon for Buescher at the Crystal Cafe.

The award is given annually to a legislator who helps the social work field in their duties at the capitol. The award was presented March 7, during National Social Work Month. Buescher did work with Grand Valley Catholic Outreach before becoming a representative in 2004. At the capitol, he’s worked on funding low income energy assistance fund work and said this year’s state budget will include money for children’s education and health care, affordable housing and economic development.

Buescher said he appreciates the award, but would rather focus accolades on the social workers who gave him the award.

“The thing I want to recognize is the hard work that various types of social workers do in this community. Their work is hard work — they’re the ones that deserve to be recognized,” Buescher said.

Judy Herr, western region representative to the board of the Colorado chapter of NASW, nominated Buescher.

“He just has a lifetime of working for human needs,” Herr said. “He’s been a good advocate for people that aren’t getting served through the state and people that cannot speak for themselves but are not doing well in the community.”

Nonprofits felt the brunt of some funding cuts during the state Legislature’s budget crisis in 2002 and 2003, said Mesa County Partners Executive Director Joe Higgins. Higgins said he helped nominate Buescher because Buescher doesn’t find nonprofit funding expendable.

“The judicial system and other government entities depend on nonprofits. Bernie gets that,” Higgins said. “I think he understands these programs are beneficial, they’re cost effective.”

Hilltop CEO Sally Shaefer, who also commented on Buescher’s nomination form, said the award was “well deserved” for the legislator. Buescher helped ensure waivers for Hilltop’s brain injury program, said Shaefer.

“He’s not your typical partisan politician. He looks at the needs in the community and aligns himself with those needs,” she said.

Mesa County Division Director of Human Services and District 51 school board member Diann Rice also chimed in on Buescher’s award.

“He’s just a bright, bright moderate, he’s well-informed and a highly principled legislator,” Rice said.

Reach Emily Anderson at eanderson@gjfreepress.com.