Cam Ward

State Representative- District 49

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           For More Information, contact:

July 28 , 2008                                                                                                                     (205) 664-1066

www.camward.com                                                                                                                (205) 566-6746

Rep. Cam Ward To Receive Highest Honor By The Arc of Alabama

(ALABASTER, ALABAMA)—Representative Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) will receive the Franklin Smith Award given yearly by The Arc of Alabama to an individual whose contributions have had a state and national impact on the lives of individuals with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each state Franklin Smith Award recipient will be automatically considered for the National Award.

During the past few legislative Sessions, Rep. Cam Ward has spearheaded efforts to increase awareness, public support and funding for autism spectrum disorder. He currently chairs the Alabama Autism Task Force, which he and Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr. created, and he passed legislation in 2008 to create a permanent Autism Support Council.

“As a father to an autistic daughter and a staunch believer in early intervention, I feel the progress made at the State level in the past two years will help the thousands of families affected by autism,” Rep. Ward said upon hearing the news of the award. “Part of being a public servant is serving the needs of those who cannot do so for themselves. The earlier the problem of autism is diagnosed and the more intensive intervention a child receives, the less of an effect autism will have on that child's life as they grow older,” he concluded.

The Arc of Alabama will present the award to Rep. Cam Ward at their Annual Awards presentation on Thursday, September 11, 2008 during its 52 nd Annual Convention in Fort Payne, Alabama.

The Franklin Smith Award is the highest honor bestowed by The Arc of the United States to an individual whose contributions have had a nationwide impact on the lives of individuals with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of Alabama, Inc. will also nominate State Representative Cam Ward for The Arc of the United States' Franklin Smith Award for National Distinguished Service for 2008.