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March of Dimes Applauds Senate Committee’s Approval of the Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act
Washington, D.C., September 26, 2002 — The March of Dimes applauds the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for its unanimous approval of the Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2002, S. 2980. The Foundation especially commends Senators Christopher Bond (R-Mo.), Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), William Frist (R-Tenn.), Christopher Dodd (D- Conn.) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) for their leadership on this initiative. This bill addresses a series of issues central to the mission of the March of Dimes and critical to the health of children across this country.
The March of Dimes was pleased to have an opportunity to testify before the HELP Committee on July 26 regarding the importance of birth defects prevention and the value of the work being done under the auspices of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approval of S. 2980 is needed to reauthorize the Center's activities. The Center's mission to improve the health of children and adults by preventing birth defects and developmental disabilities; promoting optimal child development and health and wellness among children and adults with disabilities is closely aligned with the work of the March of Dimes. “It is imperative that Congress act quickly to reaffirm a national commitment to these objectives by approving S. 2980,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.
The March of Dimes enthusiastically endorses the “Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act of 2002” and is eager to work with Congress to achieve enactment of this much needed legislation.
Contact: Christina Manero, (202) 261-7582
Matthew Rhodes, (202) 659-1800
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