Newswise — Recognizing the importance of focused and intentional efforts for the advancement of food science and technology, the Institute of Food Technologists' 2006 Congressional Support for Science Award will be presented today, Wednesday, May 3, to U.S. Sen. Robert Bennett, of Utah, and U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, of North Carolina. The award is presented annually by the Institute of Food Technologists, the not-for-profit scientific society for food science and technology.
The IFT Congressional Support for Science Award acknowledges distinguished service by legislator, policy-maker or advocate for advancing the role of science and technology in food and agricultural policies. Criteria also considered include sustained attention to the scientific integrity of food and nutrition or health issues. The award is presented annually to two members of Congress as an acknowledgment for outstanding contributions to science-based food policies during the previous year.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee, Bennett has supported the research and development of bioengineered foods and the genetic investigation of microbes that can attach to food. He has also actively fostered scientific solutions to scrapie and chronic wasting diseases among animals.
"Senator Bennett sees the importance of scientific study in the advancement of food and safely feeding all U.S consumers," says IFT President Margaret Lawson. "He recognizes the need to be proactive in determining definitive causes and reliable solutions to diseases threatening U.S. livestock."
As a member of the House Agriculture and Homeland Security Committees, Rep. Etheridge recognizes the importance of a scientifically supported system of securing and ensuring a safe food supply. He has actively sought the development of protection measures to ensure the continued supply of safe and wholesome food, and is a staunch supporter of strengthening science education which would bolster the development of the country's future food scientists.
"Food science needs more bright students to enter the profession and maintain the nation's status as leading producer of the world's most diverse and safest food supply," says Lawson. "Rep. Etheridge's unequivocal support for funding the sciences, including research on food biotechnology, shows outstanding leadership."
Prior recipients of the IFT Congressional Support for Science Award are:
Sen. Kit Bond (Mo.) " 2005 Rep. Collin Peterson (Minn.) " 2005 Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) " 2004 Rep. Henry Bonilla (Tex.) " 2004 Rep. Rush Holt (N.J.) " 2003 Rep. Frank Lucas (Okla.) " 2003Rep. Nick Smith (Mich.) " 2002 Rep. Charles Stenholm (Tex.) " 2002 Sen. Thad Cochran (Miss.) " 2001 Sen. Richard Durbin (Ill.) " 2001
IFT will recognize and present these two congressional leaders their awards in a reception in the Senate Russell Office Building, Washington D.C.
Founded in 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists is a not-for-profit international scientific society with 22,000 members working in food science, technology and related professions in industry, academia and government. As the society for food science and technology, IFT brings sound science to the public discussion of food issues. IFT World Headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. For more on IFT, see http://www.ift.org.
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