[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 79 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     IN RECOGNITION OF MICHIO KUSHI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 7, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michio Kushi, 
the 20th century developer of macrobiotics. This diet is the catalyst 
for many of the mainstream dietary and lifestyle changes currently 
taking place.
  The Standard Macrobiotic diet has been practiced widely throughout 
history by all major civilizations and cultures. The Diet centers on 
whole cereal grains and their products and other plant quality. Twenty-
five to thirty percent of daily food consists of vegetables and the 
remaining intake is comprised of soups, beans and sea vegetables. 
Consumption of products such as meat and dairy products are typically 
avoided. Michio Kushi, the founder of macrobiotics, was born in Japan 
and graduated from Tokyo University, the Faculty of Law, Department of 
Political Science. Influenced by the devastation of World War II, he 
decided to dedicate his life to the achievement of world peace and the 
development of humanity.
  Kushi and his wife Aveline introduced macrobiotics to North America 
in the 1950s by establishing the first macrobiotic restaurant in New 
York. In the 1960s, the Kushis moved to Boston and founded Erewhon, the 
nation's pioneer natural foods distributor and manufacturer. Over the 
last thirty years Michio Kushi has taught throughout the United States 
and abroad, giving lectures and seminars on diet, health, consciousness 
and the peaceful meeting of East and West. In 1978, the Kushis founded 
the Kushi Institute, an educational organization for the training of 
future leaders of society, including macrobiotic teachers, counselors, 
cooks and lifestyle advisers. In 1986, Michio Kushi founded One 
Peaceful World, an international information network and friendship 
society of macrobiotic friends, families, business, educational center, 
and other associations to help guide society and contribute to world 
health and world peace. In the 1980s, Kushi began meeting with 
government and social leaders at the United Nations, the World Health 
Organization, and the White House. The health benefits of a macrobiotic 
diet have attracted the attention of leading medical professionals. The 
American Cancer Society reports that a macrobiotic diet may lower the 
risk of cancer.
  The Smithsonian Institution will announce the acquisition of the 
Michio Kushi Family Collection on Macrobiotics and Alternative and 
Complementary Health Care during a special day-long event at the 
National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, 
June 9. The events include a symposium featuring Michio Kushi and his 
wife Aveline Kushi, an exhibit of macrobiotic food and books, and an 
awards presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Kushi for their significant role in 
the development of alternative and complementary health care and to the 
formation of the natural and whole foods movement.
  I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in applauding the dedication 
and hard work of the Kushis in helping to educate the world's 
population on the benefits of the macrobiotic diet.

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