Lake Region —David Williams, Ph.D., an Ypsilanti Church elder in Ypsilanti, Mich., was one of two social and behavioral scientists selected nationally to be a recipient of the 2004 Decade of Behavior Research Award. He was nominated for the award by the American Sociological Association. Williams was honored for his research on health issues that has contributed to the use of social and behavioral science knowledge in policy settings, and has enhanced public understanding of behavioral and social science principles.

The two awardees will receive funding to participate in a briefing on Capitol Hill. The Decade of Behavior (2000–2010) is a multidisciplinary initiative to focus the talents, energy, and creativity of the behavioral and social sciences on meeting many of society's most significant challenges. These include improving education and health care; enhancing safety in homes and communities; actively addressing the needs of an aging population; and helping to curb drug abuse, crime, high risk behaviors, poverty, racism, and cynicism toward government.

Ray Young, Lake Region Conference communication director