The following awards were presented during the APA Practice Organization's State Leadership Conference in March to recognize the dedication of advocates for the field:

* The APA Practice Directorate's Outstanding Leadership Award was given to Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) for his continued support of mental health parity.

* The APA Practice Organization's Distinguished Service Award was presented to Ellen Gerrity, PhD, who served as the late Sen. Paul Wellstone's senior mental health adviser.

* The first-ever 2003 State Legislator of the Year Award was given to state Rep. Edward C. Sandoval (D-N.M.).

* The 2003 Committee of State Leaders State Leadership Award went to Daniel J. Abrahamson, PhD, director of professional affairs, Connecticut Psychological Association.

* APA's Div. 31 (State Psychological Association Affairs) presented the Outstanding Executive Director of a State or Provincial Psychological Association Award to Jan Trepanier of the Vermont Psychological Association and the Outstanding State or Provincial Psychological Association Award to the Oregon Psychological Association.

* The American Psychological Association of Graduate Students Award for an Outstanding State or Provincial Psychological Association of the Year went to the Ohio Psychological Association.

* The APA Practice Organization's Federal Advocacy Coordinator Awards went to Stewart Beasley, PhD, of Oklahoma, and Maury Lacher, PhD, of New York.