Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: July 1, 2002
Contact: Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director of Health
(401) 222-2231

SENATOR JACK REED AWARDED FOR PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP

Today Senator Jack Reed, D-RI was recognized for "National Excellence in Public Health" by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Senator Reed is being honored for outstanding service on behalf of the public health community. ASTHO is the organization which represents and supports the work of state health officials and state public health agencies through out the nation.

Dr. George Hardy, ASTHO executive director, says "ASTHO takes this opportunity to salute Sen. Jack Reed for his tremendous support of public health through out the nation. He really understands public health issues; he has been the champion for immunization issues for the children of our nation."

Reed has lead successful bipartisan efforts to increase funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's immunization program by $42.5 million and increase the Department of Housing and Urban Development's budget by for 25 percent to fight lead poisoning.

He has also advocated for a clarification that children enrolled in certain Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) programs are eligible for immunizations through the Vaccines for Children program.

"Senator Reed’s leadership, dedication and hard work make a difference for children in RI and for children all across America." said Patricia A. Nolan, MD. MPH, Rhode Island Director of Health, who presented the award on behalf of ASTHO. "This award recognizes Senator Reed’s success in promoting wise congressional health policy. His commitment to immunizing children and adults, to childhood lead prevention and to disease prevention make him a top notch ally for public health."

Past recipients include Jeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH; Andrew W. Nichols, MD, MPH; Claude Earl Fox, MD, MPH; Mississippi State Attorney General Michael Moore; Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA); Jim Mason; Walter Orenstein; Philip R. Lee, MD; J. Michael McGinnis, MD; Nancy Rawding; US Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary of Health, David Satcher, MD, MPH; Paul Wiesner, MD; US Representative John Porter; and Stephanie Bailey, MD, MPH.