Congressional
Briefing
When Kids Can’t Concentrate:
How Eating Disorders Impact Our
Children’s Education
Rep. Judy Biggert Opens EDC's
Congressional
Briefing at the Capitol
Congresswoman
Judy Biggert (R-IL) told over 55 activists that she and Ted Strickland
(D-OH) had introduced an
eating disorders bill
(H.R. 873) into the House of Representatives. She addressed
the group at the beginning of the EDC's Congressional Briefing,
"When Kids Can’t
Concentrate: How Eating Disorders Impact Our Children’s Education."
Also
speaking at the briefing was survivor Asha Bornhorst, activist and mother Mary Ellen Clausen,
actor Tommy Schrider,
and Anita Sincrope
Maier, a long-time activist and the executive director of the Pennsylvania
Educational Network for Eating Disorders.
Above: Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) addresses a February
congressional briefing in Washington. She
introduced a new bill to
prevent eating disorders, H.R. 873.
Click on the titles below to read speeches from the briefing.
The briefing was held
Wednesday, February 26. We thank Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL) and
Representative Ted Strickland (D-OH) for hosting this briefing.
Awards Reception
THE POWER OF ACTION
Honoring Leaders of Eating Disorders Awareness
Spirits
were high for the 2003 EDC Awards Reception, despite snow,
ice, and a Code Orange security alert. The Power of Action
was held February 26 in a private home on Capitol Hill. The program celebrated the work of champions in Washington and around the country. The
awards reception included
a violinist, a buffet, and various wines and other beverages. Special guests
included the director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Dr. Thomas Insel.
 |
Thomas R. Insel, M.D., director of the National Institute
of Mental Health,
talks with EDC Policy Director Jeanine Cogan. |
Honorees
Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL)
for leading the House in
addressing eating disorders by introducing the Eating Disorders
Awareness, Education and Prevention Act. We celebrate her commitment
to addressing eating disorders through policy.
Congressman Ted Strickland (D-OH)
for his steadfast loyalty to both mental health parity and eating
disorders awareness. We celebrate his commitment to addressing eating
disorders through policy.
Jonelle Rowe, M.D.
Senior Advisor on Adolescent Health, Department of Health and Human
Services,
for
bringing attention to eating disorders through the Body Wise Project and advocating for an eating disorder objective in the Healthy
People 2010. We celebrate her commitment to addressing eating
disorders.
Regina Dolan-Sewell, Ph.D.
Eating Disorders Research Coordinator, National Institute of Mental Health,
for her dedication to a better understanding of the prevalence,
etiology, and effective treatment and prevention of eating disorders. We
celebrate her commitment to addressing eating disorders through research.
Mary Ellen Clausen
for her creation of Ophelia’s Place,
a safe haven providing unconditional support and hope for all those
affected by eating disorders.
Mary Gee
EDC Board Member and FAC Co-chair,
for her active and successful efforts in bringing people together to
address eating disorders.
Amy Tenney-Holtmann
for advancing eating disorders
awareness through her House Party, “Mind Your Body…Listen, Learn, Respect
and Live!” at Portland State University.
Anita
Sinicrope Maier
for her lifetime achievement and
unwavering efforts in educating about and preventing eating disorders.
Celeste Pickard
EDC Office Manager, for her dedication to our mission and to the
individuals who find their way from isolation to activism and self-esteem.
Advocacy Training
& Lobbying
Training
conducted by Jeanine Cogan always sets the stage for afternoon meetings.
"Advocacy training gets everyone on the same page," Jeanine says. "We
review how Congress works, the role of constituent lobbyists, and the
issues of particular interest to the eating disorders community."
Lobbying
started promptly at 1 p.m. as EDC supporters began their first
appointments in House and Senate offices. No one traveled alone. Lobbying
teams ensured that at least two people
completed each appointment on Capitol Hill. EDC supporters fulfilled 41
appointments. The message was clear in all meetings, we need 108th Congress to pass the Eating Disorders Awareness, Education,
and Prevention Act of 2003 and the
Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act."
Over 55 Activists Meet with Members of Congress
During Third Annual Lobby Day
New Bills Introduced in House and Senate
Above: Dr. Jeanine Cogan speaks to a capacity crowd at
the February 2003 congressional briefing.
Dozens of activists visited members of Congress during the
Third Annual Eating Disorders Coalition Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. EDC
activists completed 40 appointments with members of the U.S. House and Senate.
Additional meetings were held in the halls of the Capitol when members of
Congress were approached by EDC supporters with brochures in hand.
"The message was clear in all meetings," said EDC Policy Director Jeanine Cogan.
"We need 108th Congress to pass the Eating Disorders Awareness, Education,
and Prevention Act of 2003 and the
Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act."
The Eating Disorders Awareness, Education, and Prevention Act of 2003 was
introduced Tuesday in the House of Representatives
(H.R. 873). The EDC is working
with members of the Senate for a companion bill in that chamber.
The
Senator
Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act was introduced in the House
(H.R. 953) and Senate
(S. 486)
on February 27.
People with eating disorders, their families, and friends also met
with top
administrators of federal agencies, including the director of the National
Institute of Mental Health. The Eating Disorders Coalition also coordinated
several media opportunities to promote awareness.
