WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), author of several bills defending the rights of women who choose to breastfeed, was the keynote speaker at the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) congressional luncheon and briefing. USBC used the event to launch its strategic plan: Breastfeeding In The United States: A National Agenda. The strategic plan is a reflection of the recommendations set forth in the Surgeon General 's document HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding as well as the Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals.

"Today is an important day because we are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week and the release of a extraordinary pro-woman, pro-family report," Rep. Maloney told the audience today. "The legislation I have introduced this year advances many of the goals in the strategic plan. The United States has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates of all industrialized nations and one of the highest rates of infant mortality. We have to work hard to ensure that the national agenda remains pro-child," Maloney added.

Highlights of recommendations in Breastfeeding In The United States: A National Agenda:

. Assure access to comprehensive, current, and culturally appropriate lactation care and services for all women, children and families.
. Ensure that breastfeeding is recognized as the normal and preferred method of feeding infants and children.
. Ensure that all federal, state, and local laws relating to child welfare and family law recognize and support the importance and practice of breastfeeding.
. Increase protection, promotion and support for breastfeeding mothers in the work force.

Mrs. Maloney is the author of several bills defending the rights of women who choose to breastfeed. In 1998, Mrs. Maloney passed legislation to ensure that WIC could use their own funds to promote breastfeeding. In 1999, Maloney racked up her second win for breastfeeding mothers, when she passed legislation protecting the right of women to breastfeed in public on federal property. This year, Maloney submitted a single bill, HR 285, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. The bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect breastfeeding by new mothers, provides for a performance standard for breast pumps, provides tax incentives for businesses that establish private, lactation areas in the workplace, and allows breastfeeding equipment to be tax deductible for families.

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