Crapo To Receive 'Hometown Hero' Medal; Note Teen Dating Violence Efforts

Pocatello - Two Pocatello physicians plan to honor Idaho Senator Mike Crapo with a new "Hometown Hero" Medal during ceremonies Friday in Pocatello.  Doctors Naeem Rahim and Fahim Rahim, who have opened a world-class kidney treatment center in Pocatello, created the Idaho award after they were honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.  That award is regarded as the third-highest civilian award in the nation.  The Rahim brothers are the first residents of Idaho to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.  Crapo noted their accomplishments in a Congressional Record Statement in 2007.  Along with Crapo, other recipients of the Idaho Hometown Hero Medal Friday will be Honorary Medalist Army Sgt. Blake C. Stephens, Pocatello's first native son lost during the Iraq war; Park Price, CEO, Bank of Idaho; Rebecca Rusch, Ketchum endurance athlete; and Frank Vandersloot, local businessman and CEO of Melaleuca, Inc.

Crapo will also mark another Idaho health milestone as he joins doctors and health care administrators to officially open the new Portneuf Medical Center Cancer Center in Pocatello.  Crapo, a survivor of prostate cancer, will speak during the grand opening ceremonies and note that the presence of the center will lead to more early detection of cancer and improved survival rates in Idaho.

New legislation introduced by Crapo may also improve the health and safety of teenagers who are in dating relationships.  Crapo will join with the Family Services Alliance in Pocatello to discuss the legislation that authorizes funding in the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act to be used to address dating violence prevention programs in schools.

Crapo's schedule for August 26 ^th includes the following events:

Friday, August 26th :

Noon  Pocatello     Attends the Ellis Island Medal of Honor / Idaho Hometown Hero Medal Awards Ceremony with Doctors Fahim and Naeem Rahim and community leaders to receive the Idaho Hometown Hero Medal.  At the Portneuf Medical Center Auditorium, 777 Hospital Way.

1:00 PM  Pocatello     Speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new Portneuf Medical Cancer Center.  At the Cancer Center, 777 Hospital Way.  

2:45 PM  Pocatello     Joins members of the Family Service Alliance to discuss new legislation aimed at raising awareness of and preventing teen dating violence in Idaho schools.  At the Family Service Alliance, 355 South Arthur.