Newswise — Recognizing the importance of focused and intentional efforts for the advancement of food science and technology, the Institute of Food Technologists' 2004 Congressional Support for Science Award will be presented tonight to U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Mich., and U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla, Tex. 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 acknowledgment for outstanding contributions to science-based food policies during the previous year.
As member of the Senate's Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Stabenow's leadership provides a responsible focus on topics involving food nutrition, the maintenance of U.S. standards on all food entering our borders, and confidence that the U.S. food supply remains safe from adulteration.
"Senator Stabenow has been a champion for science-based public policy and important agricultural science research," says IFT President C. Ann Hollingsworth. "Through a wide array of legislation, she's demonstrated her commitment to biotechnology and to improved food safety processes. Her dedication provides direction to those responsible for safe, nutritious food."
As chair of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Bonilla provides oversight to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and to the nation's food supply inspection system. The subcommittee also attends to the funding of U.S. agriculture and agricultural advancements.
"Through thoughtful consideration and dutiful vigilance, Congressman Bonilla has ensured that Americans continue to enjoy the safest, most abundant and most diverse food supply in the world," said Hollingsworth. "His conscientious efforts in oversight of the nation's School Lunch Program, the Federal Food Stamp Program, and the U.S. FDA affect positively the lives of adults and children alike. Likewise, as a champion for improving people's health, he recognizes the importance of advancing our food systems and supply to benefit the nutritional demands of the nation."
Prior recipients of the IFT Congressional Support for Science Award are U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, Miss., and Richard Durbin, Ill. (2001) and U.S. Reps. Nick Smith, Mich., and Charles W. Stenholm, Tex. (2002), and Rush Holt, N.J., and Frank Lucas, Okla. (2003). Honorees are selected by an independent panel of IFT members.
IFT will recognize and present these congressional leaders their awards in a 5 p.m. reception tonight at the Mansfield Room, S-207, of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Founded in 1939, and with world headquarters in Chicago, the Institute of Food Technologists is a not-for-profit international scientific society with 28,000 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://www.ift.org.
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