Posted on January 14, 2022
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was devastated to hear of the passing of Senator Harry Reid, a champion of many things, including Asbestos Awareness Week. We will miss him terribly, and send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Senator Reid was ADAO’s very first champion. In 2005, when President Bush rejected our request to establish Asbestos Awareness Week, it was Sen. Reid who saw the benefit of supporting a Senate Asbestos Awareness Day Resolution, dedicating himself to Americans, public health, and ADAO’s launch!
The first Resolution provided ADAO with the press conference that we needed to get visibility in order to grow into the organization that we are today. Without Senator Reid, we never would have been able to host our first conference at the National Press Club, which later became our signature annual educational conference leading to crucial connections with the medical and scientific communities. We have Senator Reid to solely thank for that.
I vividly remember when Jordan Zevon, son of famous musician Warren Zevon who sadly passed away from mesothelioma, and ADAO’s team were meeting with Senator Reid in his Capitol office to discuss asbestos prevention and policy. A junior Senator walked by and said he was lost and asked Sen. Reid, “Where do I go”.
Jordan joked, “Go straight to the White House!” That young senator was none other than Barack Obama. I share this story because it was a joyous moment in the Senator’s office, laughing over Jordan’s comment, working towards the common goal of banning asbestos.
Senator Reid was a joy and a delight, as well as a force of nature when it came to getting bills and policies passed. We were so lucky to work alongside him for as long as we did, and learn so much from him about how to approach others on the Hill.
Senator Reid’s efforts to aid asbestos victims were so significant that in 2006 we created the Tribute of Hope Award to honor his work. In the years since, that award has gone to a number of lawmakers, and that’s because Senator Reid gave us hope in the power of the legislative process as the best path to protecting the American public from asbestos.
Because of Senator Reid, the Senate has passed 16 Asbestos Awareness Day and then Week Resolutions designating April 1 – 7 as a time to raise awareness to prevention exposure thus eliminating all asbestos-caused diseases.
I had the honor to learn so much from Senator Reid, an accomplished boxer, that I still use “ring” as a tool when working in the Washington, D.C.:
- Don’t be afraid to enter the boxing ring.
- Look around and know your audience.
- Never regret having to tighten your gloves.
- It’s ok to lose a fight to win the war.
- Quitting is not an option.
Thank you, Senator Reid, for all you did. We will continue to miss you every day, and are eternally grateful for all you did. I will always remember your kindness, humor, and unrelenting dedication to asbestos victims and civil justice.
With respect, fondness, and remembrance,
Linda Reinstein