Congressman Jim Ramstad

WASHINGTON July 4, 2007 - Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) will receive the Eating Disorders Coalition Award for Policy at an August 15 reception in Wayzata, Minn. The award will be presented in recognition of the congressman's energetic work on behalf of eating disorders research, treatment, and prevention.

"Congressman Ramstad stands with everyone who has suffered from a mental illness or addiction," says EDC Board President Kitty Westin of Chaska, Minn. "He is a beacon of hope and optimism that tomorrow can and will be better for millions of Americans who are now shut out from access to treatment. We honor him for his years of personal and professional dedication."

Westin's daughter, Anna, died in 2000 after battling an eating disorder. Kitty Westin helped found the Eating Disorders Coalition in 2001 in order to bring national attention to eating disorders by working with Congress, the federal government, the media, and others.

Congressman Ramstad and his staff have led the effort in Congress to pass a new mental health parity bill that would ensure coverage for 9 million Americans who suffer from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and eating disorders not otherwise specified.

Congressman Patrick Kennedy

WASHINGTON April 18, 2007 - Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) will receive the Eating Disorders Coalition Award for Policy at a May 1 reception at the US Capitol. The award will be presented in recognition of the congressman's energetic work on behalf of eating disorders research, treatment, and prevention.

"Congressman Kennedy has been a tireless advocate for all those who suffer from eating disorders and their families and friends," says EDC Board President Kitty Westin. "He has raised awareness of eating disorders during a national speaking tour on mental health parity. He's sponsored congressional briefings on the topic and has worked with us to introduce comprehensive eating disorder legislation that will provide federal funding for a variety of programs nationwide. We couldn't ask for a better ally than Rep. Kennedy."

Kennedy and his staff have also worked with federal officials to learn more about the number of Americans who suffer from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and eating disorders not otherwise specified.

EDC Award for Public Policy

Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN), 2007
Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), 2007
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), 2005
Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), 2005
Senator Paul Wellstone and Family, 2004, posthumous
Representative  Judy Biggert (R-IL), 2003
Representative  Ted Strickland (D-OH), 2003
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), 2002
Representative John Porter (R-IL), 2001
Representative Pat Schroeder (D-CO), 2001
Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY), 2001
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), 2001