Lupus Foundation of America Honors Congressman Bill Young 5/9/2003
From: Duane Peters of the Lupus Foundation, 301-670-9292, ext. 17, 703-606-2692 or peters@lupus.org WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Congressman C.W. "Bill" Young was honored this week by the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) at its inaugural Champion to Champion Awards Gala in Washington, DC. The Gala paid tribute to Congressman Young for providing exceptional leadership and commitment to improving the health and quality of life for millions of Americans affected by lupus and other diseases. Former Tampa Bay Lightening Hockey player Joe Reekie presented Congressman Young with the Research and Education Award at the Champion to Champion Gala. Congressman Young has been a champion of biomedical research for many years and has continuously supported increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health and other federally supported medical research programs. As chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Chairman Young led Congress's commitment to double federal funding of biomedical research over a five-year period. He fought to increase federal funding for a variety of medical objectives, including an increased immunization rate for preschoolers, improved public health programs nationwide, and accelerated efforts to find cures for diseases such as lupus, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. A solid, reliable presence on the blue line for five National Hockey League teams over an amazing 17-year career, Joe Reekie epitomized the type of hard-nosed, gritty, yet unsung competitor that every team needs to realize its ultimate goal; to win a championship. Joe Reekie retired from hockey in January and now serves as a hockey analyst for Comcast SportsNet and is active in youth hockey programs in Crofton, Maryland. The Gala proceeds will support research and public and professional education programs of the Lupus Foundation of America, the nation's leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to lupus. Lupus is a widespread, life-diminishing, and potentially life-threatening disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissues and organs, such as the kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood, or skin. The disease affects 1.5 million Americans, mostly women. Lupus is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. Photo's of Congressman Young accepting his award from Joe Reekie can be downloaded at http://www.wirepix.com/newsphotos/USN |