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

With David Goldman and other left behind parents from around the country at a congressional mark-up Tuesday, a bill designed to empower the U.S. State Department with more tools to achieve the return of children abducted from the U.S. and to enforce the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction was approved by Members of the House panel that oversees human rights. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House congressional human rights subcommittee, saw his ... Read more

Promoting online freedom in repressive countries is at the core of the Global Online Freedom Act (GOFA) passed today by the House panel that oversees international human rights and chaired by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04). At the markup of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, Chairman Smith described the deteriorating state of freedom of political and religious speech online and the growing danger for dissidents who use the Internet. “The threat to human rights is ... Read more

The National PACE Association (NPA) today presented Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) with the NPA Public Service Award at its Spring Policy Forum in Washington. He received the award for his leadership in helping protect PACE—Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly—as an option for New Jersey seniors as the State works to reform its long-term care delivery system. Smith helped launch the first Medicare-sponsored PACE in New Jersey, and the NPA selected him in recognition of his support of P... Read more