The American Lung Association - A Century of Excellence

THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION-A CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, it is my tremendous honor to rise today to recognize a very special birthday. Over the last 100 years, the American Lung Association has distinguished itself in numerous and meaningful ways. It has made significant contributions to modern health science and has been a force for successful political action. Most importantly, the American Lung Association is responsible for saving millions of lives through its constant and dedicated efforts to educate the public to the dangers of lung disease and to promote both preventive care and treatment for this terrible illness.

The American Lung Association has been especially active over the past 40 years in bringing the health concerns of smoking to the national policy agenda and aggressively promoting the principles behind the Clean Air Act in relation to pollution's effect on the human body and to those individuals with existing lung illnesses.

Its work in the field of asthma is equally exemplary. The American Lung Association has pioneered research efforts to determine the causes and treatment of childhood and adult asthma, calling for needed funding and government support. It has also spearheaded efforts to teach children with asthma how to better manage their disease so as to reduce complications, hospitalizations, and in some cases, deaths.

With the knowledge that lung disease is responsible for one in seven deaths annually, there is no doubt of the critical nature of the efforts of the American Lung Association. It is certainly appropriate that this body recognize this dedicated organization for a century of remarkable efforts to improve the health and lives of all Americans, and wish its members many more years of continued success. When they succeed, we all do indeed breathe easier.