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SMALL MIRACLES AWARD DINNER & CASINO NIGHT

Small Miracles Big Winners

Annual Event Honored Dennis M. O'Brien, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

The Center for Autism hosted its annual Small Miracles Awards Dinner & Casino Night on April 17, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The event honored Dennis M. O’Brien, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, with the Small Miracles Award in recognition of dedication to the Center and children with autism throughout the state.

The event featured a casino night, silent auction and award ceremony. All event proceeds support the Center for Autism’s evaluation and treatment services for the autistic community of Philadelphia.

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A  lifetime resident of Philadelphia, Dennis M. O'Brien has been an advocate for the residents of the 169th Legislative District in the city's Far Northeast since 1976. On January 2, 2007, he was elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Providing disabled children with the resources, education and opportunities they need is a crusade that O'Brien has personally taken on with a passion. He has been recognized throughout the state for advocating for those with autism spectrum disorders.

A member of the Center for Autism’s board of directors for more than 15 years, Dennis O’Brien has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission through local and state government agencies. O’Brien also serves as chairman of the Autism Caucus and was appointed as honorary chairman of Pennsylvania's Autism Task Force founded by the Honorable Estelle Richman, Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare.

During his 15 terms as a state representative, health care, educational choice, veterans' rights, economic development initiatives, early intervention and maintaining nursing services have also been high priorities for O'Brien. He was chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee from 1993 to 1996, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee from 1997 to 2002, and chairman of the Judiciary Committee from 2003 to 2006.

He is actively involved in numerous community organizations. He serves on the board of directors of the Maritime Charter School, Self Help, Shalom Inc., CORA Services, and the American Liver Foundation. He is also a member of the Torresdale Branch of the American Cancer Society, the Catholic Historical Society, Pennsylvania Economic League Council, Archbishop Ryan High School Alumni Governing Board and an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Born in Philadelphia in 1952, he is a graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School and La Salle University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. He is married to the former Bernadette M. Benson and they have three sons, Dennis Jr., Brendan and Joseph.

Learn more about the Small Miracles Award Dinner: