Malaria No More Recognizes Crenshaw for Advancing Effective Policy Against Malaria

Press Release

Malaria No More, the nationwide organization dedicated to ending malaria around the world, today (7/18) honored Congressman Ander Crenshaw with its Malaria Vision Award for advancing effective malaria policy in the United States Congress.

The award ceremony, where Crenshaw and Congressmen Gregory Meeks (D-NY) received the Malaria Vision Award and Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) received the Malaria Action Award, took place at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

"Malaria impacts millions of people around the globe -- mothers, fathers, and young children as well as American servicemen and women who are fighting overseas to keep us safe and building strong allies and trading partners in emerging economies," said Congressman Crenshaw. "I am honored to receive the Malaria Vision Award from Malaria No More and am proud to serve alongside Congressman Meeks as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. The fight to eliminate malaria as a public health threat requires teamwork and dedication. My commitment to that mission remains strong, and I look forward to continuing our critical work alongside the President's Malaria Initiative, the Department of Defense, and the Global Fund."

Malaria is the number one infectious disease threat of American warfighters with more than 100 cases per year in the U.S. military. To help cut these numbers and the need for anti-malarial drugs, Crenshaw continues to fight for an effective vaccine against the disease. At his request, the Fiscal Year 2014 Defense Appropriations Bill contains $9.6 million for the Army to continue research into an effective vaccine against malaria. That bill passed the full Appropriations Committee on June 12 and is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives next week.

Martin Edlund, CEO of Malaria No More, stated "Malaria No More is proud to honor Senator Coats, Congressman Crenshaw, Congressman Meeks and Novartis at the fifth annual Malaria Champions Breakfast. These awards recognize the outstanding work these leaders are doing, committing their time, talent, and voices to ending this preventable and treatable disease. We've seen remarkable progress in the fight against malaria, but we couldn't do it without the Champions we honor today."

The awards are presented each year to recognize leaders in the fight against malaria and the progress they are helping to achieve. The Malaria Vision Award recognizes leaders who are strong voices for effective malaria policy. Malaria No More stated in its announcement of the award that "through Crenshaw and Meeks's leadership, malaria has remained an important focus of the U.S. policy agenda. They continue to raise the profile of malaria through their introduction of the World Malaria Day Resolution, co-sponsoring of events on Capitol Hill, and other efforts to educate colleagues."

Source