Centennial Message from FDA's Acting Commissioner

Dear Stakeholder:

Throughout 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the passage of its founding law, the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act. The Act made FDA the oldest consumer protection agency in the nation.  FDA takes great pride in its accomplishments to promote and protect the health of Americans.

FDA is cosponsoring several significant events with stakeholders to commemorate the Centennial.  These events include the 2006 FDA Science Forum in Washington, D.C., and regional celebrations in Atlanta, GA; Jamaica, NY; Dallas, TX; Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA, and Oakland, CA.  We are also working with stakeholder organizations that represent the interests of FDA employees, consumers, professional societies, public health organizations and industry to celebrate the Centennial.  These organizations have also played important roles in changing mandates and in increasing the Agency's capacity to carry out its mission over the last century. 

Our goal is to host events that:

• Commemorate the first 100 years of contributions to American’s public health and the world community with a focus on the future.
• Observe FDA’s role – past, present and future – in protecting and promoting the health of the public
• Inspire the next generation of science, innovation and public health through partnerships and alliances with key stakeholders
• Salute the contributions of dedicated FDA employees, alumni, legislators, academicians, industry, advocacy groups and public health leaders who support the consumer protection mission of the Agency.

One hundred years of success is worthy of celebration. The FDA stands tall because of each dedicated staff member. In the FDA’s second century, we will build on a foundation success to create a science-led regulatory agency dedicated to improving and enhancing health. Our second century will be based on new opportunities, but grounded in even-greater responsibility.  For more information, visit our web site www.fda.gov/centennial.

                                                                         Sincerely yours,  

                                                                        Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.
                                                                        Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs