<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Since August 18th, over 1000 e-letters have gone to Capitol Hill urging changes in the food labeling laws. Unbelievable! Congress will return to Washington after Labor Day. Now our focus is on the Senate HELP Committee. Members of this committee will determine if there is a food labeling bill this year. Republicans are in the majority, meaning these Senators carry greater influence. Member names, State, and party (R or D) are listed below. These lawmakers have heard from us. But, they need to HEAR US. Make a call to the Senator's local office. (To find phone numbers - go to www.capwiz.com/celiac and enter your zip code) Not sure what to say? Here are a few key points: -- The Today Show featured a segment called "Living with Celiac Disease" on August 18. You (family member or friend) have CD. 1) Celiac disease is one of the most common genetically based diseases in the world. Current research demonstrates, CD may affect as many as 1 in 133 Americans, or 2.2 million people. 2) It is the most undiagnosed disease in the United States. 3) Untreated, celiac disease may affect --bones (osteoporosis and arthritis), blood (anemia), reproductive system (infertility and miscarriage), and the nervous system (chronic fatigue and depression). 4) The only treatment is a gluten-free diet. This requires reading all food labels to determine if products are safe to eat. 5) Without clear, concise food labeling, you risk getting sick. 6) ***For Republicans -- We hope that you will share these concerns with Chairman Gregg. Thank the staff for their time. Senate HELP Committee - Judd Gregg (R-NH) Chairman AL Sessions -R CT Dodd-D IA Harkin-D KS Roberts-R MA Kennedy-D MD Mikulski-D MO Bond-R NC Edwards-D NM Bingaman-D NV Ensign-R NY Clinton-D OH DeWine -R RI Reid-D SC Graham-R TN Frist-R TN Alexander-R VA Warner -R VT Jim Jeffords - I WA Patty Murray-D WY Mike Enzi-R Let's give the HELP Committee Members another week to remember! American Celiac Task Force [log in to unmask] *Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the Celiac List*