RALEIGH – NC State Representative Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland) has received the North Carolina Lung Association’s award for Excellence in Public Service.

The award is given to an individual who has devoted time and energy to help the American Lung Association of North Carolina in its mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health.

Deborah Bryan, Vice President of Advocacy and Donor Value of the American Lung Association of the Atlantic Coast nominated Glazier for the award.

“Rep. Rick Glazier, now serving his 3rd term in the House, has quickly risen to prominence with his demonstrated leadership,” said Bryan. “He has been a great advocate for lung health issues and has supported legislation not only to advance restrictions on smoking in public places, but to increase the excise tax, promote renewable energy, provide funding for school nurses and reducing the nurse-to-student ratio. He’s also supported legislation to expand flu vaccination. We are grateful for such strong leadership on these important issues.”

Rep. Glazier broke legislative ground with a series of ‘Nonsmoking’ bills in the 2007-2008 session of the General Assembly:

·         House Bill 1113, Designate General Assembly Buildings Nonsmoking – Banned smoking in the General Assembly Buildings, protecting the members, staff, pages and the 44,000 North Carolina students who visit the General Assembly each year.

·         House Bill 24, Smoking in State Govt. Buildings/Prohibition – Banned smoking in all State owned or leased buildings, and restored local control so that municipalities could regulate smoking in buildings and vehicles owned or leased by local government.

·         Senate Bill 1086, Smoke Free Schools  – Protects North Carolina students from the dangers of second–hand smoke by banning smoking on all public school campuses, school buses and school sponsored trips.

·         House Bill 2252/Senate Bill 1681, Smoke–Free Motor Fleet; House Bill 2254, Community Colleges Smoke Free – Additional protections passed this year designate any vehicle owned or leased by the State smoke–free, and allow Community Colleges to declare their campuses smoke–free as they see fit.

The award was presented to Glazier at the Lung Association’s Spotlight on Excellence 2008 Volunteer Awards Celebration at the Rizzo Conference Center in Chapel Hill.