Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: April 29, 2004
Contact: Helen Drew, 222-1016

RI Department of Health Honors Representative Steven M. Costantino; The James E. Carney Award Recognizes Public Health Legislation Efforts

On April 28, 2004 the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) awarded the James E. Carney Public Health Legislative Award for 2003 to State Representative Steven M. Costantino. The Carney Award recognizes Rhode Islanders who "have been instrumental in the promotion or enactment of legislation which has advanced the aims or mission of public health."

Rep. Costantino was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 and is the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance--having been a member of that committee since 1999 and served as Deputy Chairman. He co-Chairs the DCYF Task Force on System of Care and the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Health Care Oversight. He represents District 8 of Providence, including Federal Hill, West Broadway, Valley Street and part of downtown.

Rep. Costantino was nominated for the Carney Award by Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and others based on his promotion of legislative initiatives in the public health arena including: tobacco control, pharmacy practice, mental health parity, affordable prescription medications, access to health care and long term care. His service also includes support for Worksite Wellness and updating the physician, nursing and pharmacy practice statutes.

"Representative Costantino works tirelessly to develop consensus on public health issues such as Early Intervention, affordable health insurance and access to health care," said Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director of Health. "Efforts such as these, plus his leadership, tenacity and effectiveness as a public health advocate, represent the best traditions of public service."

Representative Costantino joins the following distinguished recipients of the James E. Carney Award: 1995-Senator Thomas Izzo, 1996-Representative George Zainyeh, 1997-Representative Nancy Benoit, 1998-Senator Charles Fogarty, 1999-Senator John Chafee, 2000-William Ankner and Edward Walsh, 2001-Paul Caranci and 2002-Senator Elizabeth Roberts.