[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           INTRODUCTION OF ``A CHILD IS WAITING'' RESOLUTION

                                 ______


                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 1994

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a resolution 
supporting a very important cause--the full funding of the Special 
Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children [WIC]. The 
title of this resolution is ``A Child Is Waiting.'' But the truth of 
the matter is that more than 3 million pregnant and post-partum women, 
their infants, and their children are waiting for WIC's critical 
services.
  WIC provides nutritious food, nutrition education, and referral to 
health care to low-income women and their children up to age 5. In 
1991, five corporate executives testified before the House Budget 
Committee supporting WIC full funding. William Woodside, the chairman 
of Sky Chefs, Inc., described WIC in these terms:

       The Federal Government operates hundreds of programs. State 
     and local governments operate hundreds more. Rarely, in this 
     large universe of programs has a program compiled the 
     stunning record of effectiveness that WIC has. In the often 
     murky world of social program evaluation, WIC stands out for 
     the clarity and consistency of the research findings that 
     demonstrate it produces remarkable results.

  WIC's effectiveness is remarkable. WIC decreases the incidence of 
very low birthweight by 44 percent. It lowers the incidence of late 
fetal deaths by up to one-third and increases the head size of infants 
whose mothers participated in WIC during pregnancy. Head size normally 
reflects brain growth during pregnancy.
  But WIC's benefits reach far beyond infancy. Children who participate 
in WIC appear to be better prepared for school. The 4- and 5-year-olds 
whose mothers participated in WIC during pregnancy were found to have 
higher vocabulary test scores. In addition, children who participated 
in WIC after their first birthday scored higher on memory tests. It is 
the children between the ages of 1 and 5 that are currently most 
underserved by the program, and we need to address this.

  They body sets priorities for itself: Survival is first; growth is 
second; and learning is last. If a child is forced to survive on a 
limited food supply in their formative years, the energy available for 
learning is extremely limited or perhaps nonexistent. This kind of 
situation is dangerous for several reasons. It threatens the health and 
well-being of children, their ability to take advantage of the lessons 
offered in the classroom, and their potential to contribute to society 
fully as adults.
  Not only is support for WIC morally right, it is fiscally right. 
Every $1 spent on a pregnant woman under WIC saves between $1.92 and 
$4.21 in Medicaid costs for newborns and mothers and from $2.98 to 
$4.75 for newborns alone. A 1993 study conducted by the Department of 
Agriculture found that the savings in Medicaid resulting from a 
reduction in the incidence of low birthweight was $4.5 million in North 
Carolina in 1987.
  This resolution supports the language included in the President's 
health care reform proposal that would guarantee full funding for WIC. 
It asserts that whatever shape health care reform takes when it is 
approved by the House, it should include full funding for WIC because 
it is the very first step in promoting good health and preventing 
disease for some of our most vulnerable citizens.
  I am pleased to be joined by my colleague, the gentleman from 
Missouri, [Mr. Emerson], in introducing this resolution, and I 
encourage the rest of my colleages to support the goal of full funding 
for WIC.

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