COMMISSIONER JANES RECEIVES MENTAL HEALTH AWARD

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 5, 2003) - County Commissioner Bob Janes has received the "2003 Special Recognition Award" for going above and beyond his duties as a county commissioner to support mental health and behavioral care programs in the community.

The award is given by the Ruth Cooper Center.

Janes also was recognized, on behalf of the Florida Senate by Sen. Burt Saunders, "for his community service to the Ruth Cooper Center and for his dedication to the establishment of the Mental Health Court in Lee County."

Earlier this year Janes was named "Advocate of the Year" by the Lee County chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

And last year, he received the 2002 "Most Outstanding Public Official" Human Service Award given by the Community Coordinating Council. Janes serves as chairman of the National Association of Counties' (NACo) Medicaid Indigent Subcommittee and chairman of the Florida Association of Counties' (FAC) Health and Human Services Committee.