Association honors Crownover for anti-smoking bill

Publication Date: 2008-05-06

• Author:Karina Ramirez
• Publication:Denton Record Chronicle, TX

Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, received the American Heart Association's "Heart of Honor" award for her contributions to a House bill to help reduce heart disease and stroke.

"I was so proud to have been a part of it," she said Monday at the awards ceremony at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton.

State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, was honored with the American Heart Association "Heart of Honor" award for her contributions to reducing death and disability due to heart disease and stroke. She received the award Monday at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton.

Crownover introduced House Bill 9, which would have banned smoking in public workplaces, restaurants and bars, during the 2007 legislative session.

Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, presented a similar bill in the Senate in hopes that one of them would get the measured passed.

She said she is still upset that her bill did not pass.

"The goal of the American Heart Association is different from mine in that they are hoping to increase the education in hope to eliminate smoking," Crownover said, "Mine is to strictly and carefully protect the employees. They should not have to choose between their jobs and their health. We don't do ask that of any other industry."