July 19, 2003 - U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) was honored by the Autism Society of America (ASA) for his role as the founder and Co-Chair of the Autism Caucus in Congress. Representative Doyle was honored at the 2nd Annual Evening of Champions Gala, the concluding event at the 2003 ASA Annual Conference on Autism in Pittsburgh.

“Representative Doyle has shown tremendous leadership in educating Members of Congress about autism, fighting for increased federal funding for autism research, and championing the expansion of programs to train teachers to effectively educate children with autism,” said Lee Grossman, Chair of the ASA’s Board of Directors. “ASA is also grateful to Representative Doyle for taking the time to participate in this conference.”

The Congressional Autism Caucus, officially named the Bipartisan Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE), was formed in December of 2000 by Representative Doyle and his Republican colleague Representative Chris Smith. The Autism Caucus seeks to increase general understanding of autism among policy makers as well as to serve as a forum where autism-related policies can be discussed and promoted.

The Caucus is also working to expand federal autism research. It is working to secure $250 million a year for autism research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Currently the Autism Caucus has 173 members from 45 states and two U.S. territories.

Congressman Doyle and Representative Smith have introduced the Teacher Education for Autistic Children (TEACH) Act in Congress. The TEACH Act would provide $140 million over five years for training of special education teachers so that they have the expertise necessary to effectively teach children with autism.

The Autism Society of America promotes lifelong access and opportunities for all persons within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully included, participating members or their communities through education, advocacy, public awareness, and research related to autism. The ASA is based in Bethesda, Maryland. For more information on the ASA, see www.autism-society.org.

Also being honored at the gala were Dr. Nancy Minshew, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Mrs. Audrey Horne, Immediate Past President of ASA and a devoted parent advocate.

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