[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 163 (Tuesday, December 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ILLINOIS POISON CENTER

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                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2012

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th 
anniversary of the Illinois Poison Center (IPC), the oldest poison 
center in the United States. Their services in poison treatment and 
prevention have made the Illinois Poison Center a great contributor to 
the Illinois emergency medical community.
  Increased awareness of the potential dangers of over the counter and 
prescription medications as well as common household products is a 
crucial step toward better poison safety and prevention, especially for 
children. Nearly half of the 77,000 poisonings reported to the Illinois 
Poison Center last year involved children under the age of five. Most 
of these cases could be prevented by greater awareness of potential 
risks posed by household substances. The Illinois Poison Center has 
proven its dedication to educating the citizens of Illinois in better 
poison prevention.
  Thanks to its trained medical staff, the Illinois Poison Center 
treats over 90 percent of calls reporting poisoning over the phone, 
reducing the need for doctor's visits and emergency room care.
  Mr. Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, please join me in 
recognizing March 2013 as Poison Prevention Month in Illinois, and in 
commending the Illinois Poison Center on 6 decades of excellence in 
poison education and treatment to the State of Illinois.

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