Dingell, Enzi Receive IFT Science Awards

Two legislators have been honored with IFT’s Congressional Support for Science Awards (CSSA), which recognize their ongoing efforts to advance food science and technology. Recipients of the 2012 awards are Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.).

Long committed to helping to ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply, Dingell authored the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which revamps the U.S. food safety system by improving the capacity of the FDA and food manufacturers to prevent food safety problems and empowering them to detect and promptly respond to foodborne illness outbreaks.

Also a strong supporter of FSMA, Enzi worked to include language in the bill that directs the FDA to work harder at partnering with states on food safety and protecting the needs of small businesses.

“Both Congressman Dingell and Sen. Enzi were instrumental in not only shaping the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, but also making it happen,” said IFT President John Ruff. “On behalf of all the members of IFT, I thank them for their efforts and congratulate them on receiving this award.”

Now in his 30th term in office, Dingell is the longest-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives in history. He serves as a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and sits on all of the committee’s six subcommittees. In addition to his work on FSMA, Dingell has authored legislation that promotes drug safety by strengthening the FDA’s ability to monitor drugs after they are on the market. In 2010, he authored the Patient’s Bill of Rights, a key component of national health insurance reform legislation.

Over the course of the past five decades, Dingell has authored numerous laws designed to protect Americans’ health and the environment, and has been a staunch advocate for the rights of workers and consumers. A World War II veteran, Dingell studied chemistry at Georgetown University and also received his law degree from the university.

Sen. Enzi is the former Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and in that capacity, he has helped move numerous bills through the committee. Specifically, 37 bills were reported out of the committee, 23 bills passed the Senate, and 15 laws came through the committee that were signed into law.

An accountant by profession and a former small business owner, Enzi is a strong advocate for small businesses. He has an accounting degree from George Washington University and a master’s degree in retail marketing from the University of Denver.

Enzi has worked to support the global battle against AIDS and to promote Wyoming’s clean-burning coal, natural gas, methane gas, oil, and wind energy. He helped author the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, which would create a steamlined job training and employment system.

The CSSA was established by IFT in 2001 to recognize outstanding contributions to science-based food policies and to increase the role of science in policy development in order to enhance the safety, nutritional value, affordability, and variety of foods available to consumers. The winners are selected by an independent panel of IFT members, and the award serves as acknowledgement for outstanding contributions during the prior year.