U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., has received the Champion of Science Award from the University of Kansas and the Science Coalition.
The award was presented to Rep. Yoder for his support of federal funding for basic scientific research.
KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little awarded Rep. Yoder with the honor on Monday on the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kan. Also involved in the presentation was KU Medical Center Executive Vice Chancellor Douglas Girod and Director of the KU Cancer Center Roy Jensen. Dr. Douglas Lowy, acting director of the National Cancer Institute, was a special guest at the ceremony.
The Champion of Science Award is given to Members of Congress for their support in funding basic research.
“I’m honored to receive the Champion of Science Award,” Rep. Yoder said. “Diseases know no political parties or regional differences. They affect us all indiscriminately. For that reason, we all need to come together to make sure our researchers have every tool they need to find cures. That’s why I’m going to continue to champion this cause so that we can lower the cost of health care for everyone and, most importantly, save lives.”
“Representative Yoder’s critical support for the KU Cancer Center’s successful NCI designation effort and his tireless advocacy on behalf of significant additional funding for federal funding for research make him an ideal candidate for this honor,” Gray-Little said. “He clearly understands the importance of maintaining America’s role as a leader in scientific innovation, and we appreciate all he does for Kansas and for the nation.”
“Representative Yoder has a strong history of critical support for scientific and medical research and has a deep appreciation for the benefits that it can provide to patients and their families. He has been a longtime champion of our efforts to obtain NCI designation, and his advocacy in support of the pursuit of scientific knowledge stands out among his peers. He is a natural fit for this award, and I am pleased he is accepting it at KU Medical Center,” Jensen said.