State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, received the American Heart Association’s “Heart of Honor” award for her contributions to a House bill to help reduce heart disease and stroke.

“I was so proud to have been a part of it,” she said Monday at the awards ceremony at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton.

DRC/Barron Ludlum

State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, was honored with the American Heart Association “Heart of Honor” award for her contributions to reducing death and disability due to heart disease and stroke. She received the award Monday at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton.

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Crownover introduced House Bill 9, which would have banned smoking in public workplaces, restaurants and bars, during the 2007 legislative session.

Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, presented a similar bill in the Senate in hopes that one of them would get the measured passed.

She said she is still upset that her bill did not pass.

“The goal of the American Heart Association is different from mine in that they are hoping to increase the education in hope to eliminate smoking,” Crownover said, “Mine is to strictly and carefully protect the employees. They should not have to choose between their jobs and their health. We don’t do ask that of any other industry.”

Joel Romo, regional vice president of advocacy of the South Central affiliate of the American Heart Association said the association’s state advocacy committee selected her for her effort on the legislation.

“We feel it would impact the public health on all levels,” he said about the measure, “Her work is appreciated by the volunteers and the national leaders [of the organization].”

In recent years, cities across the state have promoted and passed legislation to eliminate smoking in public areas. Romo said El Paso has the strongest ordinance since it bans smoking in bars and restaurants. Dallas passed an ordinance in 2003 that bans smoking in many locations.

“Studies have shown that passing the ordinance increases bar revenue as well as restaurants,” he said citing a 2003 study that analyzed the quarterly sales tax reports and monthly mixed-beverage tax receipts from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

“It is about making our workplace as safe as possible,” Crownover said.

A former teacher, Crownover has served in the Texas House of Representative since 2000.

Crownover faces Democrat John McClelland and Libertarian Jason Jordan in the November general election.

She represents House District 64, which includes portions of Denton County including the cities of Corinth, Hickory Creek, Lake Dallas, and Denton.

KARINA RAMÍREZ can be reached at 940-566-6878. Her e-mail address is kramirez@dentonrc.com .