[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 97 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1328-E1329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2002 AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS 
                              LEGISLATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2001

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for the 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 Agriculture Appropriations legislation (H.R. 
2330) that would provide $74.6 billion in funds for the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and other related 
agencies. I believe we must support our nation's agriculture programs 
and am very pleased that this year's bill including sufficient federal 
funding for nutrition research programs.
  I am particularly pleased that this legislation includes $75 million 
in additional federal funding for the Agriculture Research Service 
(ARS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The ARS 
conducts and funds a variety of research projects, including nutrition 
research. The ARS provides funding for six human nutrition research 
centers, including the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at 
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. The CNRC is the only 
human nutrition research center which focuses primarily on pediatric 
nutrition and helps to make recommendations about childhood diets.
  As the representatives for the CNRC, I applaud the innovative 
pediatric nutrition research which the CNRC conducts each year. I am 
also pleased that this bill includes an additional $500,000 for the 
CNRC so they can expand their pediatric nutrition research next year. I 
believe that this investment will not only save lives but also reduce 
health care costs as we learn more about what is the best, most 
nutritional food for our children to eat. This additional funding will 
fund valuable research which will help families to provide nutritional 
food for their children so that these children will live longer, 
healthier lives.
  There are many examples of CNRC's research which will have a direct 
impact on our lives. For instance, CNRC researchers are currently 
examining the metabolic, hormonal and dietary factors that affect the 
body's absorption and utilization of essential mineral nutrients such 
as calcium and zinc. Lack of adequate calcium intake in childhood can 
predispose children, especially females to fractures and osteoporosis. 
By understanding how our bodies process calcium and other nutrients, 
the CNRC will be able to make important recommendations on how to help 
children to prevent osteoporosis. Another CNRC study is working to 
identify the factors that influence children's eating habits and how 
best to help children and families to adopt healthier habits to avoid 
the long-term health problems linked to poor nutrition, such as 
obesity, diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis. The CRNC is also doing 
research on the nutrition of mothers and their infants during pregnancy 
and lactation. These studies will examine the optimal dietary calorie, 
protein, and mineral requirements for maternal health during pregnancy 
and lactation. With this study, mothers and their infants will learn 
more about the necessary nutrients they need to maintain optimal health 
during pregnancy and lactation.
  I will continue to work with the House Appropriations Committee to 
ensure that the

[[Page E1329]]

CNRC gets sufficient federal funding to conduct pediatric nutritional 
research. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation which 
provides necessary funding for agriculture and nutrition research 
programs.

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