Now celebrating its 35th year of service, EFNEP operates in nearly 800 counties in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. EFNEP’s mission is help low-income families and youth improve their diet quality and stretch their food dollar, skills which directly affect obesity. By making positive changes in individual and family behavior regarding healthy food choices, physical activity, and stretching the family food dollar, EFNEP participants can combat obesity and improve their health...

At a time when the need for EFNEP is greatest, financial support for the program from Congress has waned. This will only squander some of the significant gains EFNEP has already made in hundreds of communities around the country. And this penny-wise solution to short-term budget challenges will come back to haunt us in the long-run as the federal government’s share of health costs – driven by the obesity epidemic – continue to rise.

With a relatively small investment we can stem the tide of obesity in this country. That is why, for 2005, I hope we can increase funding for this critical program. I respectfully urge my colleagues to seize this opportunity and do what is right.