RECOGNIZED FOR HIS LEGISLATION THAT HELPS TO SAVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN
 

Asthma Day Speech Asthma Day Award Chris Draft

Washington, May 5, 2010 -

Today, the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics presented an award to Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth) recognizing him for offering legislation on behalf of students with asthma.  Stearns offered H.R.  H.R. 2023, the Asthmatic Schoolchildren’s Treatment and Health Management Act (ASTHMA Act), which was enacted in 2004 (Public Law 108-377).   At that time, schools prevented children with asthma from carrying their medications with them, which resulted in several tragic deaths because the children could not get their medicine in time.  Stearns’ bill created an incentive payment system to encourage states to allow children to carry their asthma inhalers with them.

Today, all 50 states allow children to carry their own asthma inhalers and epi-pens, removing the final barriers to children getting the medicine they need to live.   “I am deeply honored to receive this award for my work to help children with asthma, and I look forward to promoting other efforts to address this serious illness.”  In addition to offering the legislation, Stearns is a member of the Congressional Asthma and Allergy Caucus.

May is Asthma Awareness Month and the award was presented to Stearns During Asthma Awareness Day on Capitol Hill.  Joining Stearns at the event was Chris Draft, a linebacker in the National Football League who is now in his 13^th season.  Draft is an asthma sufferer who established the Chris Draft Family Foundation to stress education, a healthy lifestyle, and personal responsibility.  During the event, Draft talked about his concerns and anxieties of controlling his asthma as a competitive athlete in college and in the pros.  Draft’s Foundation also sponsors the Asthma Team, a social support network that emphasizes that asthma is manageable and that asthma attacks are preventable (www.asthmateam.org).