Rep. Pickering to Receive First-Ever AVMA Advocacy Award

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Capping a season of substantial advances made to its legislative agenda, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will present Congressman Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) with the first-ever AVMA Advocacy Award at its 145th annual convention in New Orleans on Sunday, July 20.

The AVMA's President, Gregory S. Hammer, DVM, will give Rep. Pickering the award during the AVMA Political Action Committee Congressional Club Luncheon at New Orleans' Hilton Riverside at 12:00 p.m. The award, a symbol of the association's commitment to state and federal advocacy, was approved by the AVMA Executive Board earlier this year.

Rep. Pickering is serving his sixth term representing Mississippi's Third Congressional District and is currently assistant minority whip. He was selected by the AVMA Executive Board for the inaugural award because of his devotion to advancing issues of key importance to veterinary medicine.

"Over the past several years, Rep. Pickering has been an invaluable and unequivocal champion of legislation vital to both animal and human health," Dr. Hammer said.

"He led Congress in passing four major pieces of legislation -- the Animal Drug Availability Act, Animal Drug User Fee Act, Minor Use and Minor Species Act and, of course, the National Veterinary Medical Services Act, a long-awaited program to bring veterinarians to under-served areas," Dr. Hammer added. "I can think of few others in Congress who have stood up so bravely and consistently for veterinary medicine."

In addition to serving as a successful advocate for veterinary medicine, Rep. Pickering took the lead in passing government emergency response reform in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

First elected to Congress at the age of 33, Rep. Pickering has earned the status of a rising star and emerging leader within the Republican Party.

Rep. Pickering will be available to answer questions from credentialed press following the receipt of the award.

For more information about the AVMA convention, visit the AVMA Online Media Kit at http://www.avmaconventionmedia.org/.

The AVMA and its more than 76,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide

variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal,

human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at http://www.avma.org/ for

more information.

CONTACT: Eric McKeeby of American Veterinary Medical Association, +1-202-289-3213, Cell, +1-202-641-5186, emckeeby@avma.org

Web site: http://www.avma.org/ http://www.avmaconventionmedia.org/

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