[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES 
         COMMISSION AND THE WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 40th 
anniversary of the partnership between the Economic Opportunities 
Commission and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. WIC 
provides care for women with low to medium income, who are pregnant or 
have a child who is less than five years old.
  In 1968, CBS aired a documentary titled ``Hunger in America,'' that 
shed light on widespread malnutrition across low income communities. 
The following year, the White House formed a council to address the 
issue and a recommendation stemming from the council was to focus on 
providing nutritional food and education to low income pregnant women 
and children.
  When the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 was amended in 1972, the WIC was 
authorized as a pilot program for two years. The EOC was one of the 
agencies participating in the WIC as a pilot program, and they issued 
the first WIC vouchers in the state of California.
  In 1975, the EOC established WIC as a permanent program based on the 
premise that early intervention during critical times of growth and 
development can help prevent future medical and developmental problems. 
The Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program is a 
federally-funded health and nutrition program for women who are 
pregnant, breastfeeding, post-partum and children under 5 years.
  Throughout the years, the caseload of the EOC WIC has steadily risen 
to its present high of 37,500 participants. WIC consists of 72 staff 
members made up of Registered Dieticians, WIC Nutrition Assistants, 
Local Vendor Liaisons, Breastfeeding peer counselors, and 
administrative support staff.
  The goal of WIC is to enhance the quality of life for women, infants 
and children by providing them with healthy food and the knowledge and 
opportunity to make healthy choices in an atmosphere of dignity and 
respect.
  Women, Infants and Children has provided support for pregnant women, 
nursing mothers, and children under five years of age and their mothers 
for nearly 40 years, and they will continue to give them physical aid 
and knowledge to help improve the quality of their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
outstanding work of the Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental 
Nutrition Program in providing aid and support to mothers and children 
who are in need.

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