[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H2641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   WIC--MORE THAN JUST FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, IT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA

  (Mr. FILNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 25 years of the 
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, 
what is widely known as WIC. WIC is not just a program that makes a lot 
of sense, it saves millions of dollars, too.
  Every WIC dollar spent for pregnant women results in the savings to 
the Medicaid program of anywhere between $2 and $4. Well-fed mothers 
and children are healthier people. Children who eat a nutritious diet 
grow up to be stronger, better-adjusted adults. WIC allows high-risk 
young families to properly feed their children during their critical 
months of growth and development. WIC helps to assure normal childhood 
growth, reduces early childhood anemia, increases immunization rates, 
improves access to pediatric health care and prepares children for 
learning.

                              {time}  1015

  What more can we ask for? It truly proves the maxim that an ounce of 
prevention is worth a pound of cure. WIC, it is a good program for 
America.

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