American Cancer Society names national government affairs VP; Daniel E. Smith veteran senior Congressional staffer, policy advisor

American Cancer Society
Wednesday, 4 August 1999

The American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization and the preeminent source of cancer information and service, has announced that Daniel E. Smith has been named national vice president of federal and state government affairs.

Mr. Smith, who has most recently served as staff director for the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, will be responsible for coordinating the development and execution of strategic federal and state advocacy programs and practices on behalf of the two million member society.

"The American Cancer Society knows that health care today must be at the top of our nation's legislative discussion," said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. "The American Cancer Society understands the critical need to make certain cancer and cancer-related issues are at the top of that agenda. The addition of a Capitol Hill veteran like Dan Smith will help make certain that our nation's policymakers understand the extraordinary opportunity the new millennium holds for those willing to lead the fight to eradicate cancer in our lifetime."

In his role with the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Mr. Smith has served as the chief strategist and senior advisor to the committee's ranking member, in the process drafting legislation and building consensus with other members of Congress, the White House, federal regulatory agencies and special interest groups. Prior to staffing the Senate committee, he served as chief of staff and a longtime aide to U.S. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa.

"Dan will bring the same integrity, enthusiasm and political savvy to the American Cancer Society that he brought to the United States Senate," said Senator Harkin. "While I will miss his good judgement and strategic thinking, I am happy that an esteemed organization like the Society will benefit from his skills."

Mr. Smith is a native of Iowa, a graduate of the University of Iowa and has a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org