“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
-- Margaret Mead
The American Society for Nutrition represents nearly 4,000
individuals dedicated to nutrition research, education and
patient care. Each and every member can play a valuable role in
advancing the Society's public policy agenda, and we encourage
your involvement.
Regular advocacy updates are communicated via the Society's
Public Policy Newsletter, distributed semi-monthly. From time
to time, ASN will issue legislative or “action” alerts on a
pressing issue before Congress affecting nutrition science and
research. These alerts will enable you to send a personal message
to your Member of Congress and Senators. Make your voice heard in
Washington by regularly participating in Action Alerts.
Action Steps That Can Make a Difference
At the 2008 ASN Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology, the Honorable John Edward Porter, former member of Congress and Chair of Research!America, noted that the 2008 elections may be the most important for science and research. He challenged nutrition scientists to act outside their comfort zones and get involved by taking the following actions:
- Familiarize yourself with your senators' and representative's positions on nutrition and science issues. As a constituent, it it your right to communicate regularly with them on issues of importance to you. Consider inviting them and their staff to visit your lab or clinical center to see how taxpayer dollars are spent in the state/district.
- Continue to identify and recommend nutrition scientists to serve on National Academies of Science Committees and Advisory Boards, as well as federal advisory boards and committees.
- Be bipartisan
- Less than 3% of members of Congress have any science background. As an individual scientist and/or practitioner, decide which candidate you would like to support. Introduce yourself to the campaign and tell them you would like to advise the candidate on food and nutrition science issues. This is important not only with the candidates running for President, but also for those running for Congress and the state legislatures.
- Consider running for office yourself! Last year, physicist Dr. Bill Foster overcame significant political odds to win the seat of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert in the Illinois 14th congressional district.
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) has developed a special website for the FASEB community, "111th Congress: Biomedical Research Guide to the Freshman Class," that provides an overview of the newest members of Congress. If prompted when trying to access this link, the user name is "fasebcommunity" and the password is "directory111."
ASN's Public Policy Committee wants to hear from you. If you have
an issue that you believe the Society should consider within its
advocacy program or any questions, please contact Mary Lee Watts,
Director of Science and Public Affairs, at publicpolicy@nutrition.org.