The AAPD PAC Legislator of the Year award recognizes a federal legislator who has demonstrated leadership in advancing policies to improve children’s oral health consistent with AAPD’s public policy initiatives. Nominees are legislators who have a record of supporting legislative and/or regulatory actions on behalf of children’s oral health.

2020

The 2020 AAPD PAC Legislator of the Year Award was awarded to Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Texas-28th). Congressman Cuellar is Chief Deputy Whip for the 116th Congress and a member of the House Committee on Appropriations. The Congressman was not able to attend the Advocacy Conference, but AAPD Past President Joseph Castellano and CEO John Rutkauskas presented the award to him in his office.

 

2019

The 2019 AAPD PAC Legislator of the Year Award was awarded to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-3rd). Congresswoman DeLauro is the Chairwoman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee—the subcommittee that among other things funds the Title VII pediatric dentistry program. The Congresswoman was not able to attend in person but her remarks were presented by her legislative assistant, Caitlin Peruccio (pictured here, holding the award, with AAPD CEO John Rutkauskas on her right and AAPD President Joe Castellano on her left).

 

2017

The 2017 AAPD PAC Legislator of the Year Award was awarded to Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). Senator Blunt is chair of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over Title VII funding along with all other programs funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Senator was not able to attend in person but sent a personalized video greeting that was introduced by his Legislative Assistant for health issues, Desiree Mowry (pictured here, holding the award, with Congressional Liaison Heber Simmons, Jr.).

 

2015

The AAPD PAC presented the 2015 Legislator of the Year Award to Congressman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.-4th), one of three dentists in Congress. (l-r) AAPD Congressional Liaison Heber Simmons Jr. and Cong. Gosar.

 

2013

The AAPD PAC presented the 2013 Legislator of the Year Award to Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), who helped make oral health required coverage for children under both the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the ACA. (l-r) District II Trustee Shari C. Kohn (Hunt Valley, Md.), Cardin, and President-elect Warren A. Brill (Baltimore, Md.).

 

2012

(l-r) Congressional Liaison Heber Simmons Jr. and Adrienne A. Hallet, professional staff member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. Simmons presented the 2012 AAPD PAC Legislator of the Year Award to Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who chairs this subcommittee. Hallet accepted the award for Senator Harkin.

 

2011

Congressman Mike Simpson (R-2nd Idaho), now the "senior dentist" (of two) in Congress, received the 2011 AAPD PAC Legislator of the Year award during the group dinner. Simpson was cited for his leadership on Medicaid dental reform and Title VII funding, and his support of the AAPD Head Start Dental Home Initiative. Left is PAC Steering Committee Chair Lewis A. Kay, and right is Congressional Liaison Heber Simmons Jr.

 

2009

(l-r) Council on Government Affairs Chair Dr. Warren A. Brill, Congressman Elijah Cummings(D-7th Md.), and President Dr. Beverly A. Largent. Congressman Cummings received the 2009 AAPD PAC Legislator of the Year award, presented at a dinner in Washington, D.C., during Lobby Day activities on March 18, 2009.

 

2008

During the annual session in Washington, D.C., we were pleased to honor Congressman Frank Pallone(D-6th N.J.), Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, as recipient of the 2008 AAPD PAC Legislator of the Year award. The presentation took place during the AAPD Appreciation Dinner at the Canadian Embassy. After the 2007 death of Deamonte Driver from a dental infection, Pallone’s subcommittee held a hearing on children’s access to oral health care, and his leadership ultimately led to a guaranteed dental benefit and other important provisions in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization legislation approved by Congress.

 

2006

U.S. Congressman Charles W. Norwood (R-Ga.) was presented with the third annual Legislator of the Year Award from the AAPD Political Action Committee. Pictured (l-r): Norwood, AAPD PAC Steering Committee Chairman Charles R. Hall and AAPD Parliamentarian Rhea M. Haugseth.

 

2005

Senator Blanche L. Lincoln, D-Ark., accepts the second annual Legislator of the Year award from AAPD PAC Steering Committee Chairman John A. Bogert (left) and AAPD Congressional Liason Heber Simmons Jr. (right).

 

2004

U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, R-Miss., was presented with the first annual Legislator of the Year Award from the AAPD Political Action Committee (PAC). Pictured (left to right): AAPD Congressional Liason Heber Simmons Jr., Cochran, AAPD PAC Steering Committee Chairman John A. Bogert, President Paul A. Reggiardo, Executive Director John S. Rutkauskas and Immediate Past President David K. Curtis.