WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 9, 2009 – During a reception at the Library of Congress on Thursday evening, the March of Dimes presented three members of Congress awards related to their legislative work on behalf of women, infants, and children.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) received the prestigious Franklin Delano Roosevelt Leadership Award.  Presented by FDR’s great-granddaughter and March of Dimes Board of Trustee member, Elizabeth Roosevelt Johnston, Speaker Pelosi was praised for her unwavering commitment to improve access to health coverage for millions of women and children in every region of the country. She was also recognized for her leadership in support of preventive health care and for her visionary efforts to increase investments in biomedical research.

Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) was given the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Affairs.  The Senator was recognized for having effectively marshaled bipartisan support for numerous bills designed to improve maternal and child health from supporting folic acid education to bringing focus to the issue of premature birth.  Among his most significant contributions is the central role he played in creating and supporting the country’s most important and prestigious government research institutions – including the Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, one of seven Centers that make up the CDC. 

Representative John Dingell (D-MI) also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Affairs.  The Congressman was lauded as a visionary leader who, for more than 50 years, has been at the center of the nation’s most significant advances in legislation pertaining to biomedical research, access to health coverage, and public health.  Mr. Dingell was instrumental in the creation of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, in the expansion of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as an untold number of public health programs and projects designed to improve the health of families here in the United States and around the world.

Earlier in the day at the Capitol, Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, presented U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) the March of Dimes National Public Affairs Leadership Award.  The Majority Leader was recognized for
his ongoing commitment to children’s health particularly promoting prevention by advancing newborn screening, smoking cessation, and access to quality care.  As leader of the U.S. Senate, he has been instrumental in securing approval of numerous health initiatives including the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.  Earlier this year, Senator Reid ushered the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to passage by the full Senate.  This bill sets the stage for states to provide health insurance for millions of uninsured children and pregnant women.
                     
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose volunteers and staff work to improve the health of infants and children by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
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WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 9, 2009 --  Senator Kit Bond, (R-MO), receives the  March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Affairs from Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, during the Foundation’s annual Volunteer Leadership Conference held at the Library of Congress.

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 9, 2009 -- Representative John Dingell (D-MI), center, received the  March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Affairs during the Foundation’s annual Volunteer Leadership Conference held at the Library of Congress. He is pictured with  Greg Gumbel, broadcaster for CBS Sports and an honorary member of the March of Dimes national Board of Trustees, and Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 9, 2009 -- Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, (D-CT), center, accepted the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Leadership Award on behalf of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Rep. DeLauro is pictured with Elizabeth Roosevelt Johnston, FDR’s great-granddaughter and March of Dimes Board of Trustee member, and Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, during the Foundation’s annual Volunteer Leadership Conference held at the Library of Congress.

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 9, 2009 – Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), far right, accepted the March of Dimes National Public Affairs Leadership Award during a meeting in his office. Pictured with Sen. Reid is Dale Andreason, state director of the March of Dimes Nevada Chapter; Carolyn Yucha, RN, PhD, FAAN, Dean, School of Nursing, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes and a vice president of operations for Bank of America.