Yesterday, the American Lung Association honored Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois for their leadership in improving lung health. During the annual LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day, Senator Murkowski received the Lung Health Research Champion Award, while Representative Kelly was honored with the Public Health Champion Award.
Attendees, including over 100 LUNG FORCE Heroes, gathered to meet with Congress members with aims to secure research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), public health measures at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and protection for Medicaid.
Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, recognized Senator Murkowski as "instrumental in securing robust research budgets for the NIH" and noted her leadership in bipartisan legislation targeting youth vaping.
Senator Murkowski has supported measures like the Stopping Appealing Flavors in E-Cigarettes for Kids Act, which imposes severe restrictions on flavored tobacco products, and the Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act, seeking to mandate e-cigarette manufacturers to pay user fees to the FDA.
Senator Murkowski expressed her commitment to lung health education, emphasizing the risks of lung cancer and vaping: “It is essential that Americans are educated on their lung health, including the risk factors of lung cancer and the dangers of vaping.”
Representative Kelly was acknowledged for championing public health priorities, advocating against Big Tobacco, and influencing national health policy as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Wimmer praised her efforts to "eliminate the sale of menthol cigarettes" and her defense of CDC public health efforts.
As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, Kelly has focused on improving health outcomes in underserved communities through initiatives like the Health Equity and Accountability Act. She also advocates for healthcare access, diverse clinical trials, and environmental health factors.
Representative Kelly highlighted the importance of equitable healthcare access: "We can save Black and Brown lives from lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke with better access to healthcare."
The awards were presented amid advocacy activities by Lung Association staff and volunteers, aiming to increase Congress's support for lung health research and public health protections.
