[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17755]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CHILD MEDICATION SAFETY ACT

  (Mr. BURNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, September 7, was ADD Awareness 
Day. Millions of Americans suffer from attention deficit disorder. 
Fortunately, when ADD is accurately diagnosed, it can be effectively 
treated. Unfortunately, when it is misdiagnosed, the treatment can be 
harmful.
  Last year I introduced in this body the Child Medication Safety Act, 
H.R. 1170. It passed 425 to 1. Unfortunately, it has seen no action in 
the other body. It has been blocked by the objections of a single 
Member in spite of overwhelming congressional and public support.
  This medication is not antimedication. This legislation is not 
antimedication. It is not antischool. It does not limit teacher or 
school involvement.
  It is designed to protect children. It does provide for parents and 
medical professionals to determine if a child needs medication for ADD.
  This legislation is simple. It prohibits schools from requiring 
children to take a stimulant such as Ritalin or Aderal or other drugs 
as a precondition for attending that school.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the other body to take immediate action. We must 
protect children from inappropriate medication, and we must allow 
parents and medical professionals to determine the medical treatments 
for their child.

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