March of Dimes Presents National Public Affairs Leadership Award to
Senator Olympia Snowe

The March of Dimes presented Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) its 2007 National Public Affairs Leadership Award on October 18th in Washington, D.C.  The Foundation heralded the Senator’s leadership as sponsor of the “Prevent Prematurity and Improve Child Health Act” which served as the source for numerous provisions incorporated into the Senate bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  

The March of Dimes National Public Affairs Award recognizes outstanding leadership by Members of Congress and the Executive Branch in the fields of maternal and child health and not-for-profit public policy.  The Maine Chapter of the March of Dimes presented the award to Senator Snowe at the Foundation’s National Public Affairs Conference.

Jere D. Hoover, State Director and Sharon Schulberger, Director Program Services visited with Senator Snowe in the Reception Room of the Capitol and presented the award to her.

Jere and Sharon also met with the other members of the Maine delegation, promoting reauthorization for CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), appropriations for the PREEMIE Act and National Children’s Study, and Newborn Screening Saves Lives bills.  Zeek Taylor, 2007 National Ambassador and his mother, Betty, joined us during our visit to Senator Susan Collins who agreed to sign on as a sponsor of the Newborn Screening bill.  We also met with Representative Tom Allen and a staff person from Representative Michael Michaud’s office. Rep. Michaud was just leaving his office for an important CHIP vote as we arrived.