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“PROVIDE WIC WITH THE MONEY TO FEED WOMEN AND CHILDREN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2597-H2598 on May 14, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PROVIDE WIC WITH THE MONEY TO FEED WOMEN AND CHILDREN
(Mr. BALDACCI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to those who are saying it is about time, time that it was recognized that we cannot neglect the hungry, that we cannot deny nutrition to women, infants and children.
The decision to provide more money for WIC was a step in the right direction. The special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children faced a shortage that had to be made up. Tens of thousands of needy mothers and babies would have gone without proper food if changes were not made to the supplemental appropriations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated that $76 million more is needed to see that the WIC program through the end of the fiscal year is appropriated. Otherwise, the WIC rolls would be cut by as many as 360,000 participants.
WIC improves diet. It reduces low birth weight. It reduces infant mortality. The program works. It delivers on its promises.
I am glad that we have been able to deliver on ours. I want to thank my colleagues who worked so diligently in succeeding in getting that job done.
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