[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14523-14524]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 KAREN McKAY OF FLORISSANT, MISSOURI RECEIVES TOP VOLUNTEER AWARD FOR 
   EXCELLENCE IN CANCER-FIGHTING ADVOCACY WORK ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2013

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, Karen McKay of Florissant, Missouri, was 
awarded ACT! Lead of the Year by the American Cancer Society Cancer 
Action Network (ACS CAN) for her dedicated volunteer and advocacy work 
to help make cancer a national priority.
  This annual award is given to a lead congressional district volunteer 
who has demonstrated unfailing leadership advocating for ACS CAN's 
areas of cancer-related public policy.
  ``Karen has been a tireless volunteer and dedicated cancer advocate 
of ACS CAN's legislative priorities,'' said Christopher W. Hansen, 
president of ACS CAN. ``We are grateful for Karen's outstanding efforts 
to organize local volunteers and advocate for strong and effective 
cancer-fighting public policy in her community.''
  Karen leads the Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT!) in Congressional 
District 1 for ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer 
Society. ACS CAN is the nation's largest cancer advocacy organization 
and supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed 
to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. As the ACT! Lead, Karen 
serves as the primary volunteer contact with District 1 lawmakers and 
recruits and manages other local volunteers to lead district advocacy 
and fundraising efforts.
  Karen has been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society for many 
years as a leader for her local Relay For Life event and has 
volunteered with the ACS CAN since it began over 10 years ago.
  On behalf of all families touched by cancer, ACS CAN applauds Karen's 
passion and determination to advocate for meaningful legislation that 
helps eliminate the burden of cancer and end suffering and death from 
this disease.
  ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the 
American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative 
solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS 
CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer 
a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary 
power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make 
their voices heard.


        Highlights of Karen McKay's ACS CAN and ACS involvement

  City Council Member in Florissant, MO, from 2000-12 so understands 
local campaigns.
  Attended every MO Lobby Day event from 2002-13; visits personally 
with over 20 legislators.
  Attended every Federal Lobby Day event from 2007-2013; her Member has 
supported our issues each year, including co-sponsor of Quality of Life 
bills in 2012 and 2013.
  Raised over $2,000 for Lights of Hope in 2012 and over $3,000 in 
2013.
  Had 29 State and Federal Legislators sign the ``Cancer Promise'' 
during that campaign.
  Her business was a corporate sponsor of the Wall of Hope banner 
displayed on National Mall.
  Every year prior to Federal Lobby Day, tapes 30 minute show on News 
20 that airs several times daily for several weeks, and is seen by over 
1 million viewers.
  Receives ``Pillars of Success'' recognition from High Plains each 
year for work as ACT Lead.
  Co-chair of local RFL event in 1998 that raised $52,000; 3 years 
later, as Chair, raised $130,000.
  Worked with and helped establish the ``Look Good, Feel Better'' 
program in her area for cancer patients.


                          Nomination Criteria

  To be nominated for an ACS CAN award, an individual/team should have 
excelled in activities related to building or sustaining their state's 
volunteer structure and/or elevating the profile of advocacy, ACS CAN, 
and its public policy agenda. Specifically, a nominee should have 
accomplished one or more of the following:


                   Advancing the Volunteer Structure

  Demonstrated exceptional recruitment/retention/recognition abilities.
  Demonstrated a successful team approach to advancing our efforts.


                      Advancing Advocacy & ACS CAN

  Excelled at ACS CAN fundraising efforts.
  Effectively communicated the ACS CAN public policy agenda to the 
media and elsewhere.
  Participated in and/or led local/state/federal coalitions in support 
of ACS CAN's public policy agenda.
  Promoted advocacy at Relay and/or other ACS events.
  Promoted advocacy and/or ACS CAN within other ACS departments.

 2013 Nomination of Karen McKay for ACS CAN Award for ACT Lead of the 
              Year, First Congressional District, Missouri

(Mr. Tim Freeman, Missouri Grassroots Director for the American Cancer 
               Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)).

       I started in my position as Missouri Grassroots Director in 
     January of 2009. The previous staff person who had my 
     position left me a very detailed packet of information 
     regarding the job. One of the things that stood out to me was 
     her suggestion that one of the first phone calls I should 
     make was to the ACT Lead for the 1st congressional district,

[[Page 14524]]

     Karen McKay. I did so within the first few days of 
     employment, and it's been one of the smartest things I've 
     ever done in this job.
       Karen ``gets it'' when it comes to advocacy. She is a 
     former elected official, so she has firsthand experience and 
     a personal understanding of what it takes to influence 
     elected officials. Karen doesn't pull any punches. She 
     educates herself on the issues she is advocating for, and she 
     presents them in a succinct and powerful way. She is able to 
     answer questions that lawmakers or staff may have, and makes 
     sure to follow up after her meetings and conversations.
       Karen has worked hard to support efforts at all levels of 
     government. As a former City Council member, she understands 
     the role a council can play in passing important pieces of 
     legislation, including local smoke-free ordinances.
       At the state level, she has cultivated some tremendous 
     personal relationships with a large number of State Reps, 
     Senators, and staff members. During our MO Lobby Day event 
     each year, she personally meets with dozens of lawmakers and 
     staff members, securing important support for our key 
     legislative efforts. Karen also attends several community 
     functions throughout the year where she has the opportunity 
     to see elected officials from all levels. She never fails to 
     use these opportunities to talk about ACS CAN issues and 
     encourage elected officials to support our efforts.
       Karen also worked extremely hard to help promote our recent 
     tobacco tax campaign here in Missouri. Although it fell just 
     short of victory, Karen was a key contributor in getting us 
     as close as we came.
       At the federal level, Karen has a tremendous relationship 
     with her Congressman, Rep. Lacy Clay, and his staff. She 
     knows several members of his staff personally, and is always 
     greeted in his DC office with a big smile, hugs, and pictures 
     being taken. The same is true for her meetings with 
     Congressman Clay. Just recently, Karen got Congressman Clay 
     to once again agree to co-sponsor ACS CAN's Quality of Life 
     legislation. Needless to say, Rep. Clay has been a supporter 
     of ACS CAN priority issues for many years, in great part 
     because of the efforts of Karen McKay.
       Karen is also a tremendous fundraiser for ACS CAN. Her 
     fundraising efforts began with her involvement with RFL, and 
     have translated over to ACS CAN. Last year, she was one of 
     the top 5 fundraisers for Lights of Hope, with over $2,500 
     raised, and this year she has surpassed that goal and will 
     raise over $3,000 before the event in September. Her overall 
     fundraising for both ACS and ACS CAN are astounding.
       Karen has also done a great job of recruiting others to be 
     part of her ACT Team through the years, having filled all 
     positions at some point during her time as ACT Lead.
       Karen is an ACT Lead that other members of our Missouri 
     team look to for ideas, leadership, and support. I can tell 
     you that as the staff partner for Missouri, I do the same.
       Karen is a big reason for the success we've had here in MO, 
     and it is a pleasure for me to nominate her for ACT Lead of 
     the Year. It's an award that she could have won many times 
     over, and I sincerely hope she will receive full 
     consideration this year.