KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Jim McDermott was honored today for his efforts on behalf of families served by WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The award was presented by the National WIC Association and the Washington Association of Local WIC Agencies (WALWICA). Thirty-three thousand people receive WIC services in King County, which are administered by Public Health – Seattle & King County.

The Congressman co-sponsored a bill in 1989 that has generated over $21 billion in non-tax revenue from rebates. This revenue is passed along to local WIC programs, which allows them to increase the number of families they serve. It is estimated that this ongoing revenue provides WIC services to one out of every five WIC mothers and children.

"I'm honored to receive this award," Representative Jim McDermott said, "but I will only accept it on behalf of all the good people who nurture our children every day across America. It is important that we make every dollar work as hard as possible, and the legislation I am proud to have sponsored has helped us leverage millions of extra dollars to meet the needs of countless children."

“The legislation championed by Congressman McDermott was responsible for generating $26.4 million in Washington State in 2006 alone,” said Carrie Pfab, Interim Executive Director of WALWICA. “This revenue enables 75,000 additional eligible low-income Washington women, infants, and children to receive WIC benefits including healthy food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.”

“WIC provides essential nutritional services to women and children at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Babies who get a good start in life through breastfeeding and proper nutrition are well on the road to a healthy future. WIC helps them find their way.”

More information about WIC:

WIC is known as one of the most cost-effective programs funded by the federal government. Statewide, WIC serves half of the infants born in Washington, including one-third of all pregnant women, and one-fourth of all children between one and five years of age.

Women participating in WIC during pregnancy have 40% fewer low-birth weight and 50% fewer pre-term infants. Healthier children and babies results in significant savings to the health care system. For example, the average cost for a very preterm baby is over $222,000.

WIC promotes and supports breastfeeding as the healthiest infant feeding choice. In 2006, 80% of mothers on WIC in Washington chose to breastfeed their babies. Babies who are not breastfed have higher rates of respiratory infections, ear infections, digestive problems, and obesity in childhood.

For more information about WIC eligibility, WIC site locations, and services visit www.metrokc.gov/health/wic.htm or www.hmhbwa.org/ourservices/wic.htm

Additional information from WALWICA may be found at www.walwica.org

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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