At 88, Harry E. Havens, already the recipient of the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in combat during World War II, received yet another commendation Tuesday, this time for his experience as a prisoner of war. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Robbinsville) presented Havens, a resident of Bordentown, with the Prisoner of War Medal in recognition of his six-week detention by Nazi troops, which began with his capture on March 15, 1945. Havens said his unit was in a village whe... Read more

A local World War II veteran who spent nearly two months as a prisoner of war was honored Tuesday afternoon for his heroism. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith presented Harry Havens, 88, with the POW medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 silver service star and the World War II Victory Medal. “Harry Havens is one of the most decorated combat veterans of World War II in all of the state of New Jersey,” Smith said at his Hamilton office. Havens had previously... Read more

A humble Army veteran of World War II today received the Prisoner of War Medal, presented by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04). “I just did my duty,” said Harry Havens, 88, of Bordentown. “I was young. They say I was a hero, but I don’t know about that. I spent two years on the front lines. That’s a long time to be on the front lines. God was looking out for me.” Click here to watch an ABC 6 video of the presentation. Click here to view a Times photo gallery of Mr. Havens. Havens, 67 years ago thi... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith today presented World War II veteran Technical Sgt. Harry Havens, 88, with the National Prisoner of War medal. The honor was created by Congress in the 1980s to honor servicemen and women held captive during war. Havens also holds the Distinguished Service Cross, the country's second highest military honor. Click here to read News12 post and watch video. Read more

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. If New Jersey residents were not aware of the complex developmental disability, it’s likely they are now after last week’s release of startling statistics that show the Garden State with nearly twice the incidence of autism as the national average. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States is experiencing a veritable epidemic of autism, with rates continuing to soar across the country. In New Jersey, that rate is one in 49... Read more

Autism is more prevalent among children in New Jersey than previously thought, according to a new study, but the apparent increase is due largely to better screening and diagnosis, officials say. One in 49 children in the state have been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder, compared to one in 88 children nationwide, according to a study released Thursday by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., called the results of the study “shocking,” ... Read more

The following Trenton Times article written by Seth Augenstein was published on March 30, 2012: Autism rates continue to soar nationwide and New Jersey remains near the top of the list, with roughly 2 percent of children — or about 1 in 50 — diagnosed with the disorder, according to data the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released today. Experts say the nationwide spike is due at least in part to increased awareness and detection — probably the same reasons why New Jersey’s r... Read more

New alarming data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows 1 in every 88 American children and 1 in every 49 New Jersey children has a form of autism. “The national numbers, including and especially in my home state of New Jersey, are shocking,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), author of Combating Autism Reauthorization Act, Public Law 112-32. “Each one of these statistics represents real children and real families who struggle and need our help and assistance.” ... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The growing influence of China across Africa was the topic of federal and policy expert witnesses at a hearing held Thursday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees international human rights and African issues. “Assessing China’s Role and Influence in Africa,” is the title of the hearing of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights featuring the U.S. State Department and other witnesses. “China has be... Read more

The U.S. government would be able to pursue sanctions ranging from a public rebuke to trade and credit suspensions against countries that harbor children abducted by a parent, under a bill approved by a House subcommittee on Tuesday. The bill from Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., is named The Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act in honor of the Tinton Falls, N.J., man whose five-year fight to get his son back drew international attention. Goldman knows he’s one of the lucky ... Read more