Media Contact:
Jordan Baker
jbaker@frac.org
202-640-1118
Statement attributable to Luis Guardia, President, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2022 —The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of U.S. Congressman Don Young (R-AK).
For decades, Rep. Young was a champion of federal nutrition programs. As a former teacher, he understood the struggles that some families face in keeping food on the table.
As a legislator who regularly communicated with advocates in all parts of his expansive state, he understood the unique challenges that rural and frontier families face accessing nutritious food and meals. He leveraged his ability to craft bipartisan legislation, advance efforts to strengthen and expand the reach of child nutrition programs.
He referred to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants (WIC) program as “one of our country’s most essential tools to provide proper nutritional support to children and mothers.” He most recently demonstrated his support for WIC by cosponsoring the Wise Investment in Children Act (WIC Act) which would extend the WIC certification period and program eligibility for children and postpartum mothers.
In addition, Rep. Young was an original cosponsor of the Summer Meals Act of 2021 with Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA). This legislation would ensure that no child goes hungry during the summer months when they lose access to healthy school meals – meals they rely on during the school year. We are proud to have worked with Rep. Young and our anti-hunger advocates in Alaska in initiating these efforts.
FRAC celebrates his life, legacy, and commitment to eradicating childhood hunger as we continue our bipartisan advocacy to find solutions to end America’s hunger and poverty crisis.
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The Food Research & Action Center improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To learn more, visit FRAC.org and follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
