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Policy and Action Updates

Payson Road is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest eating disorder research, treatment, education and policy and action. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Eating Disorder Coalition for Research Policy and Action, eating disorders have finally reached the congressional table.

The Coalition, thanks largely to the efforts of Founder and Policy Director, Jeanine Cogan, has spearheaded the push for federal support of eating disorders treatment, research, education, and access to care. Much of the information and resources on this page have bee provided by the Eating Disorder Coalition for Research Policy and Action.

This section is intended to provide updates on current legislation and policies and give YOU the power to make a difference by contacting your representatives. The EDC website has complete updates and information on policy and action. Please visit their site for up to date information.

Action Alerts

February 2005 - The Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2005
January 2005 - ED Awareness Bill in Congress Needs YOUR Support!

Legislative Updates - as of 2/2005 (information from the Eating Disorders Coalition website):

The Eating Disorders Awareness, Education, and Prevention Act of 2003 (H.R. 873) was introduced during Eating Disorders Awareness Week on February 25, 2003, in the U.S. House by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Rep. Ted Strickland (D-OH). The next day, Rep. Biggert spoke at the EDC's Congressional Briefing during Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Currently this bill has only 40 cosponsors. Let's work to get this legislation passed in 2004! This is a "dream bill" for our community in terms of awareness, prevention, and education. Read More

Briefings

December 2003 - Looking for Briefing Speakers for December briefing, American Realities: The Changing Face of Eating Disorders
June 27, 2002, Washington D.C. - The ED Coalition hosted a Senate briefing focusing on prevention of eating disorders. Sarah Mason form Payson Road was one of the speakers sharing her story and talking about Payson Road's creative approach to prevention.

Reports and Information

October 28, 2002, Mourning the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone - a true hero and champion for the cause

Recent Initiatives

February 2005

EDC Action Alert:

1) Thank the sponsor and cosponsors of "The Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2005" (below) for their support, and urge them to continue to work for its speedy passage.

Sponsor: Rep Biggert, Judy [IL-13]

Cosponsors (42)

Rep Strickland, Ted [OH-6] - 1/4/2005

2) Contact BOTH of your U.S. senators and ask each one to sponsor a companion bill for this important legislation. Complete contact information for the U.S. Senate is online at www.senate.gov.

The Eating Disorders Awareness, Education, and Prevention Act of 2005 (H.R. 49) was introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Rep. Ted Strickland (D-OH).

SUMMARY: Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2005 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the use of innovative assistance funds for programs to: (1) improve identification of students with eating disorders; (2) increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and (3) train educators with respect to effective eating disorder prevention and assistance methods.

Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to broadcast public service announcements to improve public awareness, and to promote the identification and prevention, of eating disorders.

Requires the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Center for Health Statistics to: (1) study the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and achievement; (2) report on current State and local programs to educate youth on the dangers of eating disorders; and (3) recommend Federal, State, and local measures that could be undertaken.

January 2005

ED Awareness Bill in Congress Needs YOUR Support!

ACTION ALERT:

The Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2005 (H. R. 49) has been introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives. The Eating Disorders Coalition supports this bill.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Judy Biggert (Illinois-13th District) and Rep. Ted Strickland (Ohio-6th District). Details about the bill appear in the summary below.

THE EDC URGES YOU TO

1) Contact your U.S. Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor H.R. 49, the Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2005. To determine in which Congressional district you reside, or to locate E-mail addresses, go to www.house.gov. You may contact either the district office in your area, or the Washington, D.C. office.

2) Contact BOTH of your U.S. Senators and ask each one to sponsor a companion bill for this important legislation. Complete contact information for the U.S. Senate is online at www.senate.gov. You may contact your Senator’s local offices in your state, or their Washington, D.C. offices.

SUMMARY AS OF: 1/4/2005--Introduced. Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2005 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the use of innovative assistance funds for programs to: (1) improve identification of students with eating disorders; (2) increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and (3) train educators with respect to effective eating disorder prevention and assistance methods.

Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to broadcast public service announcements to improve public awareness, and to promote the identification and prevention, of eating disorders.

Eating Disorders Coalition
611 Pennsylvania Av SE #423
Washington, District of Columbia 20003-4303

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Reports and Information

October 28, 2002 - Mourning the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone

Information from the EDC website:

We are shocked and saddened by this horrible news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who were on the plane. This is an unspeakable loss of a leader and mentor we loved, and of friends and colleagues who were dear to us. The overwhelming number of messages we have received since the crash is a tribute to the kind of person Paul was: a passionate visionary who never gave up hope that we could make the world a better place for everyone; a committed fighter for social justice who gave a voice to the voiceless; a man with a huge heart who lit up a room � and the hearts of others when he walked in.

He was a man who valued others for who they were not where they came from, or what they wore, or their position or social status. We who had the privilege of working with him are confident that he will be remembered as he lived every day: as a champion for people.

We will miss Paul and Sheila and our friends and colleagues dearly. And we will remember them, fittingly, by picking up their banner and holding it high, in our work and in our lives.

Memorial Service for Senator Paul and Sheila Wellstone, Marcia Wellstone Markuson, Tom Lapic, Mary McEvoy and Will McLaughlin (Scheduled for Tuesday Evening)

A memorial service has been scheduled for Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Williams Arena at the University of Minnesota. The service will be a celebration of the lives of Senator Paul and Sheila Wellstone, Marcia

Wellstone Markuson, Tom Lapic, Mary McEvoy, and Will McLaughlin, lost in a plane crash on Friday, October 25.

The event is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. More information on media accommodations will be forthcoming.

WHAT: Memorial Service for Senator Paul and Sheila Wellstone, Marcia Wellstone Markuson, Tom Lapic, Mary McEvoy, and Will McLaughlin

WHEN: T uesday, October 29 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Williams Arena, University of Minnesota (Minneapolis Campus) 1925 University Avenue SE Minneapolis

NOTE: Some have enquired about memorials. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the Wellstone family asks that any memorial contributions be made to the Wellstone Foundation, which is being established to further their family's social justice legacy. Information about where to direct such memorials will be forthcoming soon.

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Congressional Briefings

December 2003

American Realities: The Changing Face of Eating Disorders

The EDC needs two more speakers for our December briefing in the U.S. Senate. Briefings are friendly, informational classes that allow people in Congress to learn about our issues.

The title of the 90-minute briefing is "American Realities: The Changing Face of Eating Disorders." We are looking for speakers who have first-hand experience with one or more of the following:

- eating disorders in non-white/non-caucasian patients or populations
- patients who were in their 30s, 40s, or older when eating disorders first appeared
- men or boys with eating disorders

If you or someone you know fit any of these descriptions and are willing to speak before an audience of 50 or more people, please contact me immediately. Send me one or two paragraphs about who you are and your experinces with eating disorders.

If you are chosen to speak, the EDC will help to prepare for the briefing. Unfortunately, we cannot reimburse speakers for travel, lodging, or other expenses. You will get to tour the Capitol, meet policymakers, and to tell your story in person and on the Internet.

The briefing will be in the U.S. Capitol during the first week of December 2003. I will have the exact date and time in the next couple of days, and I will post details on the EDC Web page.

Coming to Washington and speaking about an eating disorder is not easy nor inexpensive, but it DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Please consider whether you or someone you know can make this kind of commitment.

Sincerely,

Marc Lerro
Executive Director
Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action
611 Pennsylvania Ave SE #423, Washington DC 20003
www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org

June 2002

How Many Must Die Before We Help? Eating Disorders Prevention & the Role of Congress

When: June 27, 2002, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.562
Where: Dirksen Senate Building

Some Important Facts:

You can die from an eating disorder. Anorexia has the highest death rate of all mental disorders.
Eating disorders most often strike youth. It can happen as young as 6 years old.
Approximately 8 million people suffer from eating disorders.
It's not just about food or being thin. Eating disorders are complex and need to be understood.

Special Guest: Mike Watt

When Your Child Dies of an Eating Disorder: A Father's Story

In July 1999, at 14 years of age, Kristen Watt tragically died from bulimia. She was known for her beautiful smile, zest for life and love for other people. Kristen was an outstanding athlete and a conscientious student. Yet, behind all of this was a young woman secretly battling a horrible illness and she eventually lost. The lack of understanding about eating disorders and the immense suffering they cause prompted Mike's family to speak openly about her life and death to prevent others from experiencing such loss.

Guests:

Kate Dillon, plus size model and activist - Starvation is Neither Healthy Nor Chic

Sarah Mason, writer and founder of Payson Road - Reclaiming My Wings: The Path to Recovery

Margo Maine, Ph.D., Author of Body Wars: Making Peace with Women's Bodies -
Putting an End to Devastation and Death: The Case for Eating Disorders Prevention

Wayne Miller, Ph.D., Professor of Exercise Science and Nutrition, George Washington University -
Facts about Healthy Eating, Exercise and Lifestyle Change

Jonelle Rowe, M.D., Senior Advisor on Adolescent Health, Department of Health and Human Services

The Bodywise Project: An Effective Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention Initiative

Congressional Host:

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

All of the speeches will be on the EDC website by July 7th.

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Website designed and administered by Sarah Mason, sarah @ paysonroad.com. Website Logo and Graphics Designed by Tahara Hasan. Payson Road was created Copyright � June 2, 2000. All rights reserved. Copyright � 2000-5 [Payson Road]. All rights reserved. Revised: November 04, 2005 .