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Congressional Town Meeting Weathered the Storm

Pat Smith, Lyme Disease Association President, is shown with US Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ); C. Ben Beard, Deputy Director, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Richard Horowitz, Internist in Private Practice in New York  at Congressional Town Hall Meeting. Photo by Joyce Scatuccio Jolliffe

On May 29, 2019, The Lyme & Tick-Borne Diseases Congressional Town Meeting Sponsored by Congressman Christopher H. Smith (NJ-4) was held in the Wall Township, NJ, Municipal Building. Despite tornado warnings, flash flood warnings with torrential rains, a packed house of more than 200 people attended the three and a half hour event.

Wall Mayor Kevin Orender gave opening remarks on the seriousness of Lyme followed by Congressman Chris Smith discussing the spread of Lyme and tick-borne diseases and the difficulties of getting legislation passed to try to prevent disease and to help get research monies for patients who have difficulty getting diagnosis and treatment. He showed a stack of bills he has authored over two decades for Lyme disease. Dr. Ben Beard, Deputy Director , CDC Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, spoke on “Tick-Borne Diseases in the US: Burden, Trends, & What You Can Do To Protect Yourself.”  Dr. Richard Horowitz, Internist in Private Practice in New York, provided “Updates in the Diagnosis & Treatment of Lyme & Chronic Disease.”  Pat Smith, President, Lyme Disease Association, Inc.,  presented “Lyme & Tick-Borne Diseases: Their Spread, The Ticks, & Government Activity.”

Question & Answer session followed. View all Congressional Town Hall presentations on Rep. Smith’s website 

More Lyme information from Congressman Smith:

Video: Asbury Park Press