Desert Hills couple recognized with national honor

STAFF REPORT~ 12/21/2011

Donald and Patricia Morris of Desert Hills were recently honored as the cowinners of the 2011 Community Activist Award from Legacy, as recognition for years of work the couple has put in toward community-based tobacco control efforts.
Legacy, a Washington, D.C.-based public health organization, presents the award annually to exceptional individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to community-based tobacco control efforts.
“The Community Activist Award honors an integral aspect of Legacy’s mission,” said Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH, Legacy’s president and CEO, “because we recognize that we can better inform the public about the effects of tobacco with grassroots activists like the Morrises and their community-based initiatives.”
The couple, who are nearing their 60th wedding anniversary, is currently focused on getting legislation passed that would outlaw smoking in cars that are travelling with children.
Past efforts by the Morrises have included advocating heavily for early legislation mandating that all state offices, agencies and vehicles be smoke-free. More recently, in collaboration with many national public health groups, their efforts culminated in the statewide “Smoke-Free AZ” voter initiative covering all public places and workplaces in 2006.  Other notable efforts spearheaded by the Morrises include:

• Convincing Scottsdale officials to become the first city in early 1986 to ban cigarette vending machines
• Motivating the Phoenix Suns basketball team to open its arena free of smoking and tobacco advertising, which resulted in the president and owner of the team publically honoring Don for this effort
• Helping all Arizona schools to become smoke-free.

“We regard them as a walking storehouse of historical information and as a ‘peripheral brain’ for those working on tobacco control in Arizona and the Southwest,” said Dr. Leland L. Fairbanks, president of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking Inc. (ACAS), who nominated the couple for the award. “Don and Pat Morris spoke as unequaled and undisputed leaders among a community of activists.”
A leading speaker, author, consultant and advocate in health, science, environment and social sciences, Don served as the Former Executive Director ACAS from 1990-2007. In addition to continuously articulating the science supporting smoke-free environments, he also has a special focus on protecting children from second-hand smoke. “Whenever the news media sought a quote from the tobacco control community concerning a breaking story on tobacco use, Don was always ready with a response,” Fairbanks said.
The Morrises volunteered their time and resources across the state for various advocacy activities – and even donated their home, where ACAS was based for 25 years.
 “We are honored to present the Morrises with this award,” Healton said. “Their efforts inspire us in our mission, and Legacy appreciates their lifelong, relentless dedication to longer, healthier lives for Arizonans.”

Legacy is dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Located in Washington, D.C., the national public health organization helps American live longer, healthier lives. Legacy develops programs that address the health effects of tobacco use, especially among vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco, through grants, technical assistance and training, partnerships, youth activism, and counter-marketing and grassroots marketing campaigns. For information go to legacyforhealth.org.