[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13438-13439]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE MERCURY-FREE VACCINES ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing an important 
piece of legislation with my colleagues Mr. Smith, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
Burton, and Mr. Ackerman that will

[[Page 13439]]

protect infants and young children from mercury, a known neurotoxin, in 
vaccines. This legislation builds on the policy recommendations issued 
in July 1999 by the Public Health Service, the American Academy of 
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. That policy 
proclaimed ``[The] Public Health Service, the American Academy of 
Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers agree that thimerosal-containing 
vaccines should be removed as soon as possible.'' Mercury is well 
established as a neurotoxin and is particularly harmful to the 
developing central nervous system. Given that mercury remains in some 
childhood vaccines and that some infants are likely to receive mercury-
containing flu vaccine in the upcoming flu season this bill puts in 
statute definite timelines for the elimination of mercury from vaccines 
to eliminate this exposure in children and reduce this exposure in 
adults. It is incumbent upon us to ensure the immunizations we provide 
our children are free from harmful neurotoxins, which is why I proudly 
introduce this legislation.

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