Washington—March 22, 2006—Former First Lady Nancy Reagan has been honored with the 2006 Research!America Legacy Award for her long-standing commitment and distinguished leadership on behalf of medical and health research, particularly Alzheimer's and embryonic stem cell research.
Though unable to attend, Mrs. Reagan was recognized on March 21, 2006, at the 10th Annual Research!America Advocacy Awards gala at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. Judy Woodruff, broadcast journalist and Research!America board member, served as master of ceremonies and read Mrs. Reagan's award acceptance remarks.
"The Research!America Board of Directors has the great honor of presenting our Legacy Award to Nancy Reagan," said The Honorable John Edward Porter, chair of Research!America. "Her years of dedicated, visible advocacy, conducted with her trademark spirit and eloquence, have raised public awareness and influenced decision makers about research for Alzheimer's disease and particularly about stem cell research."
After her husband, President Ronald Reagan, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Mrs. Reagan became an outspoken advocate for medical research, most notably for research involving embryonic stem cells. Through her association with the Alzheimer's Association Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, she has inspired and educated millions of Americans and paid tribute to the best scientific minds in the United States. The Institute is a forward-looking initiative dedicated to accelerating progress in Alzheimer's research, with a focus on cutting-edge basic science.
Mrs. Reagan has also been active in expanding the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Located in Simi Valley, Calif., the Library stands as a tribute to President Ronald Reagan's legacy and as a pillar of the community. This year, the library will reward students with more than $22,500 in academic scholarships.
"Nancy Reagan has continued to be one of the nation's most visible and effective advocates for research," said Mary Woolley, president of Research!America. "We are delighted to recognize her substantial achievements in advancing the case for stem cell research."
Recipients of Research!America's Advocacy Awards are individuals and organizations that have helped create policies that support research, helped bring America's scientists the resources they need, and helped millions of Americans see the returns of medical and health research in finding new preventions, treatments and cures.
Other 2006 Research!America Advocacy Award winners are Sam Donaldson of ABC News; U.S. Reps. Michael Castle (DE) and Diana DeGette (CO); Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research and Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor of Nursing and Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing; Gordon Gund, co-founder and chairman, The Foundation Fighting Blindness and CEO of Gund Investment Corporation; and the Center for the Advancement of Health.
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make medical and health research-including research to prevent disease, disability and injury and to promote health-a much higher national priority. The 2006 Advocacy Awards represent Research!America's 10th year of recognizing the accomplishments of leading advocates for medical and health research.
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