[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H2597-H2598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PROVIDE WIC WITH THE MONEY TO FEED WOMEN AND CHILDREN

  (Mr. BALDACCI asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to those who 
are saying it is about time, time that it was recognized that we cannot 
neglect the hungry, that we cannot deny nutrition to women, infants and 
children.
  The decision to provide more money for WIC was a step in the right 
direction. The special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
infants and children faced a shortage that had to be made up. Tens of 
thousands of needy mothers and babies would have gone without proper 
food if changes were not made to the supplemental appropriations.

[[Page H2598]]

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated that $76 million 
more is needed to see that the WIC program through the end of the 
fiscal year is appropriated. Otherwise, the WIC rolls would be cut by 
as many as 360,000 participants.
  WIC improves diet. It reduces low birth weight. It reduces infant 
mortality. The program works. It delivers on its promises.
  I am glad that we have been able to deliver on ours. I want to thank 
my colleagues who worked so diligently in succeeding in getting that 
job done.

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