U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) was honored today by the Spina Bifida Association of America with the organization’s inaugural ‘Congressional Champion’ award. 

    The award was presented to Smith by Spina Bifida Foundation Chairman Hal Pote at the organization’s annual national conference outside Washington, DC. More than 700 people are attending the three-day event, including families from New Jersey. About 70,000 Americans have spina bifida, the nation’s most common permanently disabling birth defect that occurs when the spine fails to develop properly in unborn children. 

    “I am honored to receive this award from the Spina Bifida Association of America and its many members, but it is the people living with this condition – as well as their loving families who work so hard to take care of them – who are the true champions,” Smith said.

    “In addition to the courage and grace displayed by people living with spina bifida, I am constantly inspired by the love and compassion that emanates from the primary caregivers who, very often, are the parents.

    “In many of America’s spina bifida cases, the parents must incorporate countless trips to doctors and therapists into the usual busy schedules of work, school plays, t-ball games, parent-teacher conferences and more. These families have chosen the path for life despite the challenges that arise, and they should be commended and supported for doing so,” he added. 

    Last year, Smith co-founded the Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus, which currently counts about 40 Representatives from both parties as members. Smith has also led the fight to establish the National Spina Bifida Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    Under Smith’s leadership, the groundbreaking $2 million appropriation was provided for the program in Fiscal Year 2003, with $3 million following a year later. This year, Smith is working with about 60 of his colleagues to grow this federal investment to $5 million per year. Also last year, one of Smith’s veterans bills signed into law by President Bush authorized VA to provide benefits to children with spina bifida who were born to soldiers stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War-era. A similar benefit exists for children born to Vietnam vets due to possible links between the onset of spina bifida and exposure to Agent Orange. 

    “In the short time that it has been in operation, the National Spina Bifida Program has done great work to improve the quality of life for people living with spina bifida, and to prevent others from developing this condition,” Smith said. “As Congress continues its work on the Fiscal Year 2004 appropriations bills, I will continue to fight to secure the funds necessary to advance this important initiative,” he added