Rep. John Porter, holding award, with EDC Board of Directors and staff: (left to right) Sam Managed, David Herzog, Jeanine Cogan, Chris Athas, Kitty Westin, Doug Bunnell, and Vivian Meehan.

On April 24, 2001, the Coalition held a reception to honor current and former members of Congress who have been leaders in addressing the growing public health threat of eating disorders. We invited former Congressman John Porter (R-IL), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, of Denver, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY), who helped push for the inclusion of eating disorders language in appropriations bills. We are grateful for the leadership and commitment of these four energetic allies.

Both John Porter and Louise Slaughter attended the reception to receive their awards. We recognized them for their Congressional leadership in addressing the harm caused by eating disorders and honored them for their policy actions, which led to the allocation of greater resources for eating disorders education and research.

Rep. Louise Slaughter accepts the award from Executive Director Jeanine Cogan.

Such efforts help us in our mission to have eating disorders recognized as an important national health priority. John Porter delivered an empowering speech urging us to continue our fight for more resources, policy efforts, and attention. Louise Slaughter did the same, emphasizing the need to create an environment in which children grow up feeling pride and confidence rather than being undermined by a focus on their body weight and appearance.