Contact:  Kara Brennan 248-359-1577, Char Yates 248-359-1574

March of Dimes National Public Affairs Leadership Award
Presented to Representative Fred Upton

(Southfield), (MI) (Oct. 23, 2007)--Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) received the March of Dimes 2007 National Public Affairs Leadership Award on October 18 in Washington, D.C.  The Foundation heralded the Congressman’s leadership as principal author of  the “PREEMIE Act ” (P.L. 109-450) which calls for  expanding federal support for research, education and prevention of preterm birth and sets the stage for a Surgeon General’s conference to develop a national agenda to address the serious and growing problem of premature birth. 

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 Michigan Chapter of the March of Dimes presented the award to Representative Upton at the Foundation’s National Public Affairs Conference.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defect, premature birth, and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy and in 2003 launched a multi-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.

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