American Lung Association Honors Rep. DeLauro with ‘Lung Health Hero Award’

Today, the American Lung Association presented its Lung Health Hero Award to Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, chair of the House Committee on Appropriations. The award recognizes Chair DeLauro’s compelling leadership in promoting lung health, especially in championing robust funding for key government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and for her leadership in protecting our nation’s youth from the dangers of tobacco.

"Chair DeLauro has been a tireless champion for lung health for decades and has an unwavering commitment to preventing lung disease, protecting those who are living with lung disease, improving access and affordability of quality healthcare, and shielding our youth from the dangers of tobacco,” said American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer.  “Her leadership is especially critical as our nation continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic and the Lung Association is honored to recognize her with our Lung Health Hero Award."

Representative DeLauro represents Connecticut’s 3rd District and has sponsored key legislation to protect lung health and fund government agencies critical to public health. She has helped secure increased funding for the NIH, CDC and EPA, introduced legislation that was passed by the House of Representatives to stop online sales of e-cigarettes to children, worked to protect Connecticut residents from out of state air pollution and much more. 

“This honor means a great deal to me, and I take receiving it as an inspiration to continue the fight to improve lung health and prevent lung disease,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “We must continue to emphasize public health and transition our health care system to a preventative care system. I am grateful for the work of the American Lung Association and their tireless efforts to raise awareness and advocate for the health of our communities. As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I remain committed to ensuring the federal government prioritizes public health and invests in research that will save lives.”

This recognition comes as part of the Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day, when LUNG FORCE Heroes — those personally impacted by lung cancer — from across the country joined together virtually to ask their members of Congress to support $46.1 billion in funding at the NIH, $10 billion in funding for the CDC and to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, adequate and accessible healthcare.

Media interested in learning more about the American Lung Association, or our Lung Health Hero recipients should contact Allison MacMunn at the American Lung Association at [email protected] or 312-801-7628.