Newswise — Recognizing the importance of focused and intentional efforts for the advancement of food science and technology, the Institute of Food Technologists' 2007 Congressional Support for Science Award will be presented here today to U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. 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 Agriculture Committee and as committee Chairman during the 109th Congress, Chambliss has overseen policy affecting the safety, affordability and production of the nation's food supply. He has helped conduct hearings on issues such as school nutrition, food biotechnology, food safety, and livestock production, and has focused on improving federal support for food and agricultural research.
As ranking Republican on the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, "Senator Chambliss has consistently supported sound agricultural policies and has earned the reputation as an expert on agricultural issues," according to IFT President Dennis R. Heldman. "He maintains a critical focus on improving federal support for food and agricultural research."
Alongside Chambliss, Sen. Lincoln serves on the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, among other committees. In this service, she has a voice on national priorities like farm policy, hunger, nutrition, alternative energy and education. "Senator Lincoln recognizes the importance of policy affecting food and nutrition, thereby recognizing the need for increased funding for food and nutrition research," said Heldman. "She maintains an essential focus on improving and safeguarding the nation's food supply."
Lincoln recently drafted and saw adopted Senate legislation to enhance the safety of aquaculture and seafood imports. She founded and currently chairs the bipartisan Senate Hunger Caucus, which serves as a forum through which senators collaborate on national and international hunger-related issues.
Prior recipients of the IFT Congressional Support for Science Award are:
Sen. Robert Bennett (Utah) " 2006 Rep. Bob Etheridge (N.C.) " 2006 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.) " 2003 Rep. 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 during a reception at the U.S. Capitol, Lyndon B. Johnson Room, S211.
Founded in 1939, and with world headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, USA, 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. For more on IFT, see http://ift.org.
RSS