Cited as Champion of Lung Health, Cleaner Air, Tobacco Control
Washington, D.C. - The American Lung Association today honored Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-8th MD) by presenting him with a special award for his outstanding leadership in helping all Americans breathe easier. Making the presentation was Bruce A. Herring, a member of the American Lung Association Board and chair of its Advocacy Committee.
“Since his election to the U.S. Congress in 2002, Van Hollen has continued to take the lead on issues of importance to the American Lung Association,” said Herring. Van Hollen strongly supports increased biomedical research funding. He cosponsored successful legislation to encourage states to allow children to carry asthma medication in schools.
“He is a tireless supporter of efforts to strengthen the Clean Air Act and has been a champion on tobacco-control measures,” said Herring.
Recently, Van Hollen led the successful fight on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to block the expenditure of taxpayer funds to pay for a massive buyout program for tobacco growers. The American Lung Association opposed the $10 billion buyout, declaring that it would have been a good deal for the tobacco industry and a bad deal for taxpayers.
“Because of Rep. Van Hollen’s personal commitment and his ability to garner the bipartisan support of so many of his colleagues, the House leadership, despite its opposition to the amendment, allowed it to pass on a voice vote. That action was a major victory and we have Chris Van Hollen to thank for making it happen,” said Herring.
Herring noted that Van Hollen represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District, which includes much of smokefree Montgomery County and is home to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. For 12 years in the Maryland state legislature, Herring said, Van Hollen fought for lung health and cleaner air. In 2002, he engineered Maryland’s last increase of its cigarette excise tax by 34 cents to $1.00.
In 2000, the American Lung Association of Maryland recognized Van Hollen with its prestigious Jack Lodge Award for “his leadership in the successful passage of the tobacco settlement fund bill… to assure Maryland's tobacco dollars go back to the community to combat tobacco-related issues."
The award was presented to Van Hollen during a luncheon at the winter meeting of the American Lung Association Board and Council held December 3 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.