Moore receives "Heart of our Mission" Award

October 3, 2012 ... The American Heart Association has honored veteran lawmaker, Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge for his leadership in the issues affecting the health of the people of Massachusetts. His imprint can be found on nearly every piece of health care legislation enacted in Massachusetts during the past decade. Sen. Moore was recognized on Thursday, September 27th at the Heart Association’s 2012 Heart of Our Mission Event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Boston.

L to R - Deborah Enos, Chair, Greater Boston Board of Directors, Senator Richard Moore; Dr. Malissa Wood, President, Greater Boston Board of Directors

“The American Heart/Stroke Association has been lucky to have Senator Moore as a champion for several important health issues including access to care, obesity, tobacco, stroke and emergency cardiovascular care issues,” said Allyson Perron, Sr. Director of Government Relations for the American Heart Association. “As the Senate champion for school nutrition he was instrumental in ensuring that Massachusetts had the most stringent nutrition standards for schools.” 

One of Senator Moore’s greatest health policy achievements is his role in creating legislation designed to extend access to health care to every resident of Massachusetts, and in 2012 he was the lead on legislation that addresses cost control measures in our health care delivery system. Senator Moore’s legislative interests, however, range well beyond the high profile area of health care. 

During the 2012 Legislative session Senator Moore was the driving force in the enactment of a new Massachusetts law requiring school districts to develop and implement medical emergency plans. Senator Moore was moved to take action after two young men from his district were victims of a rare condition where because of an impact their otherwise healthy heart stops. 

The legislation, known as “Michael’s Law,” was passed in response to the death of Michael Ellsessar, a Sutton High School sophomore, who died after suffering cardiac arrest while playing football in 2010. Michael’s parents, John and LuAnn Ellsessar, who are constituents of Sen. Moore, were also honored by the Heart Association for their exemplary advocacy in passing the law. 

Sen. Moore told the gathering, “I am deeply honored to receive this award, not only because of the respect that I have for the work of the American Heart Association, but because the law that led to the award will save the lives of countless young athletes in our state.” He added, “It’s also a special honor to share the evening with John and LuAnn Ellsessar who turned their great personal loss into a positive outcome so that other parents will not suffer the kind of tragedy that they experienced.”

The annual Heart of Our Mission reception is an event to commemorate key volunteers who have demonstrated passion and commitment for moving forward the AHA’s mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The Heart of Our Mission also serves as the premiere of this year’s local Go Red spokeswomen who will serve as the face of the Go Red movement in Massachusetts. The Heart of Our Mission Award and Making the Stroke Connection Award recipients were also honored and presented during the stage program.

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