[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E333-E334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FOOD AND 
                             DRUG OFFICIALS

                                 ______


                        HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 1996

  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a milestone in 
the United States: the 100th anniversary of the formation of the 
Association of Food and Drug Officials.
  During the latter half of the 19th century, a genuine need existed in 
the United States for an organization to work with the States, Federal 
regulatory officials, and industry representatives on the problems that 
existed within the food and drug industries. Numerous foods were 
adulterated with a variety of preservatives and chemicals, and, as a 
result, public safety was an omnipresent threat. The purity of drugs 
represented another health issue, for the promotion of fraudulent 
remedies was common practice.
  As a consequence of these harmful practices, numerous States began to 
pass consumer laws, often with the support of manufacturers seeking 
relief from inequitable competition with the impure products. Despite 
the positive intentions of the laws, they were often deficient and 
unenforced due to a lack of control over out-of-State manufacturers. In 
addition, the manufacturers were subjected to varying State 
requirements, which led to difficulties with regard to interstate 
commerce. These problems introduced the need for Federal food and drug 
laws to impose uniform safety regulations in order to protect the 
citizens of every State.

[[Page E334]]

  In 1896, in Toledo, OH, Joseph Blackburn, the Food and Dairy 
Commissioner for Ohio, met with his counterpart from Michigan, Elliot 
Grosvenor, to develop the foundation for an organization whose mission 
would be defined by the promotion of regulatory uniformity.
  The initial meeting of the National Association of State Dairy and 
Food Departments, which later became the Association of Food and Drug 
Officials, occurred on August 25, 1897, at the Cadillac Hotel in 
Detroit, MI. This meeting was attended by representatives from ten 
States.
  Since it's inception 100 years ago, the AFDO has provided the basis 
for the furthering of uniform and rational regulations and the forum 
for the exchanging of ideas and the creation of solutions that win 
approval of both government and industry. The AFDO has also 
successfully ameliorated the status of consumer protection in the 
United States, and it has been in the forefront in support of crucial 
legislation such as the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to celebrate the centennial anniversary of 
the formation of the Association of Food and Drug Officials. I know 
they will continue their proud tradition on into the next century.

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