Arlyn G. Riskind
Director, Media Relations
Phone: (301) 941-0240
Email: ariskind@endo-society.org

Aaron Lohr
Manager, Media Relations
Phone: (240) 482-1380
Email: alohr@endo-society.org

Chevy Chase, MD—The Endocrine Society announced today that Senators Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) are the recipients of the Society’s 2009 Distinguished Legislator Award. This award recognizes and commends members of Congress who strive to advance endocrinology research and enhance public understanding of health issues pertaining to the field of endocrinology.

“Scientific breakthroughs and innovative research benefit all Americans, but neither would be possible if not for members of Congress who are committed to enacting legislation that benefits patients and advances science,” said Robert A. Vigersky, MD, president of The Endocrine Society.  “We are thrilled to honor these leaders with the Society’s Distinguished Legislator Award for their demonstrated commitment to endocrine research, the care of patients with endocrine-related conditions and the advancement of the practice of endocrinology.”

The 2009 Distinguished Legislator Award winners are:

• Senator Specter, who played an integral part in increasing research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Recently, he was a lead proponent in providing $10 billion to the NIH through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
   
• Senator Harkin, chair of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, who has been a strong advocate for research funded by the NIH. He also sponsored an amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide NIH with an additional $6.5 billion.
  
• Representative DeGette who sponsored the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2009 which amended the Public Health Act and provided for human embryonic stem cell research. As the Co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucasus, she is a strong advocate for patients with diabetes and research dedicated to the treatment of diabetes.

 “Members of The Endocrine Society rely on support from the NIH to conduct critical biomedical research and Senators Specter and Harkin’s continued efforts have assisted in increasing much-needed NIH funding opportunities” said Vigersky.  “We enthusiastically support Representative DeGette’s work regarding the utilization of human embryonic stem cells and recognize the importance of NIH funding for stem cell research as no research in recent history has offered as much hope in treating such a constellation of diseases.”

Please visit http://www.endo-society.org/advocacy/index.cfm to learn more about The Endocrine Society’s advocacy agenda.

# # #

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Md. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at www.endo-society.org.