REP. DAVID OBEY RECEIVES AWARD FROM PEDIATRICIANS

Washington, DC---U.S. Representative David Obey (D-WI) received the Excellence in Public Service Award (EPSA) from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for his legislative work to improve child and adolescent health care. AAP leaders presented Rep. Obey with the award in his Washington, DC office.

"Representative Obey is a leader committed to ensuring health care coverage for all and expanding access to that care," said AAP President Eileen M. Ouellette, MD, JD, FAAP. "Those are important goals, particularly when there are nine million uninsured children and adolescents in this country."

As the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies subcommittee, Rep. Obey has worked to secure federal funding for child care, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and medical research at the National Institutes of Health, for example. He's also a supporter of patient rights and protecting and preserving the environment.

"We truly appreciate Representative Obey's efforts to help children grow up healthy," Dr. Ouellette said. "He's a legislator who understands that if we invest in children now, the benefits will last a lifetime."

Each year, the AAP honors national officials, elected or appointed, for distinguished service through the public policy process on behalf of children and adolescents and their health care. The other recipients are U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R- PA) and U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH).

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.