[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK

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                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2009

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, as we ate breakfast today, more than 12 
million Americans were carefully watching what they ate and how their 
food was prepared. You may be thinking that they are trying to lose 
weight, but that's not the reason--it's because they suffer from life-
threatening food allergies.
  The statistics are frightening--particularly among children. Between 
1997 and 2002, the number of children under age five who suffer from 
food allergies actually doubled.
  Scientists have been unable to develop cures for food allergies. We 
must do more to support NIH medical research and raise awareness about 
these health problems.
  I applaud the creation of the new Food Allergy Initiative Advocacy 
Steering Committee and I'm excited to hear that my constituent, Ms. 
Sally Porter, will serve on the committee.
  This group seeks to help build a strong nationwide presence for the 
food allergy community. I urge my colleagues to learn how they can get 
involved and to work with me to support federal resources for food 
allergy research.

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