IFT Announces the 2008 Congressional Support for Science Award Winners

U.S. Representatives DeLauro and Whitfield Recognized for Dedication to Food Science

WASHINGTON, June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Institute of Food Technologists, the not-for-profit scientific society for food science and technology, today announced the recipients of the 2008 Congressional Support for Science Award. The 2008 award winners are Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY). IFT will recognize and present these two congressional leaders with their awards today during a reception inWashington, DC at the Rayburn House Office Building, B369.

The IFT Congressional Support for Science Award acknowledges distinguished service by legislators or policy-makers who 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 their outstanding contributions to science-based food policies during the previous year.

U.S. Rep. DeLauro serves as chairwoman of the Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee in the 110th Congress. Through this position, she has worked to provide funding for a safe food supply and a healthy agricultural economy. DeLauro also co-founded the Congressional Food Safety Caucus to explore remedies to secure the food supply to battle the rising instances of food safety and foodborne illness.

"We are very proud to recognize Congresswoman DeLauro for her dedication to making the U.S. food supply safe and nutritious for consumers," said IFT President John Floros, Ph.D.

IFT is also recognizing U.S. Rep. Whitfield, who serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and is the ranking member on the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection (CTP) Subcommittee. Floros added, "Rep. Whitfield's unique knowledge of farming operations has positioned him as an important voice on a range of food issues from farm-to-fork, and this award recognizes his dedication."

Whitfield offered unwavering support of the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, also known as the Farm Bill. Whitfield voted for H.R. 2419, authorizing $714 billion over the next ten years to fund a wide range of U.S. agriculture and food assistance programs.

Prior recipients of the IFT Congressional Support for Science Award are:

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (Georgia) - 2007

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Kentucky) - 2007

Sen. Robert Bennett (Utah) - 2006

Rep. Bob Etheridge (North Carolina) - 2006

Sen. Kit Bond (Missouri) - 2005

Rep. Collin Peterson (Minnesota) - 2005

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Michigan) - 2004

Rep. Henry Bonilla (Texas) - 2004

Rep. Rush Holt (New Jersey) - 2003

Rep. Frank Lucas (Oklahoma) - 2003

Rep. Nick Smith (Michigan) - 2002

Rep. Charles Stenholm (Texas) - 2002

Sen. Thad Cochran (Mississippi) - 2001

Sen. Richard Durbin (Illinois) - 2001

About IFT

Founded in 1939, and with world headquarters inChicago, Illinois, USA, the Institute of Food Technologists is a not-for-profit international scientific society with 22,000 members working in food science and 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, visit www.ift.org.

SOURCE Institute of Food Technologists

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