WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Smith, the Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE), teamed up with former Miami Dolphin Quarterback Dan Marino to fight for increased federal funding for autism research.

Marino met with Smith in the Congressman’s Capitol Hill office this afternoon to discuss autism and funding for research into autism and spectrum disorders (ASD); as well as efforts to increase the federal government’s support for such initiatives. After the meeting, Smith and Marino, whose 16-year-old son has autism, joined other lawmakers and autism advocates to speak at a rally to call more attention to the issue.

“The autism advocacy community is fortunate to have a man like Dan Marino – who excelled on the playing field and who has also given back to his community – on our side as we fight to increase our government’s investment into autism research,” Smith said.

“Over the past decade, we have made tremendous progress in our mission to up the research dollars for autism. This year, the National Institutes of Health estimates it will invest about $100 million into autism research, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is continuing with an aggressive surveillance program.

“However, we still need a greater investment to help the 1.5 million American families and counting that suffer from autism; and to help prevent future generations from having a similar fate. That’s why today we are launching an effort to secure additional autism research dollars through the Department of Defense’s Medical Research Program,” Smith added, noting that more than a dozen of his colleagues joined this effort in the first hour after it was announced.

“Military families affected by autism face significant challenges such as frequent moves and changes in environment. We need to ensure that our military is addressing these needs, and to make sure we are doing everything in our power to aggressively find a cause and cure for autism. We simply cannot afford to not make this investment right now,” Smith added.

In addition to helping lead the effort to secure DoD research dollars, Smith has spearheaded the campaign to increase funding for autism at both the NIH and CDC. Earlier this month, nearly 80 colleagues joined Smith in requesting a continued increased investment at both agencies for autism initiatives. The CARE Coalition now includes 187 Members of the House and Senate.

Smith is also the sponsor of HR 1700: The Teacher Education for Autistic Children (TEACH) Act, which seeks to improve teacher training and education for children with autism.