More than 200 supporters of Save the Children met with members of Congress and their staff in dozens of small group sessions on Capitol Hill, as part of the Sixth Annual Save the Children Advocacy Day events June 11th and 12th. During more than 110 separate meetings, supporters encouraged Congressional action to support and co-sponsor two critical pieces of legislation:

• The U.S. Commitment to the Global Child Survival Act, which would strengthen America's role in saving the lives of children and mothers in the world's poorest countries by investing in low-cost, highly effective, lifesaving interventions detailed in Save the Children's Survive to 5 campaign. In the Senate, there are 5 new co-sponsors of the legislation including Senator Hillary Clinton. In the House, up to 100 co-sponsors are supporting the bill; and

• The IMPACT Act, which establishes grants to combat two growing public health crises--eating disorders and obesity. There are four members of Congress who recently added their names as co-sponsors of the legislation.

Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) foreground, and Moderator Michael Gerson, Council on Foreign Relations, discuss the next U.S. President's global development policies during Advocacy Day, June 11, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

Key results from the two-day event:

• Expert Panel on the Next President's Impact on the Developing World

Michael Gerson, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, moderated an expert panel composed of Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN), representing Senator McCain, and Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), representing Senator Obama.

The candidates' positions on some foreign policy issues differed, but there was welcome agreement on some major issues, including the importance of the next President addressing human development programs; the benefits of robust foreign aid programs; and the perception that America's standing in the world is enhanced when people see our positive actions.

• Expert Panel on U.S. Childhood Obesity Prevention

At this briefing, panelists discussed U.S. childhood obesity prevention and the need to improve nutrition and physical activity among U.S. youth through passage of the IMPACT Act. One third of all American children and adolescents — more than 20 million in all — are either overweight or obese. 

Moderated by former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General Susan Blumenthal, who is chair of Save the Children's CHANGE National Advisory Council, the panel was composed of Eduardo J. Sanchez, the Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas; Taryn Nader, Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA); and Christina Economos, Assistant Professor and New Balance Chair in Childhood Nutrition at School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

The panel looked to define the magnitude and extent of the U.S. childhood obesity problem and special obesity-related risks for children, especially those living in poor, rural populations served by Save the Children's U.S. Programs. 

• Four "Champions for Real and Lasting Change" Receive Honors

Each year during Save the Children's Advocacy Day activities the agency recognizes select congressional leaders for their outstanding work in helping children in need both at home and around the globe. This year four members of Congress were honored by Save the Children for their work. They are:

Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) for their leadership in addressing the health and education needs of millions of children in the developing world;

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Rep. Corinne Brown (D-FL) for their work on behalf of children affected by emergencies in the United States.

 Last Updated 07/02/08