To:     Interested Parties
From:   Gail Ravnitzky,
        Senior Legislative Assistant to Rep. Carolyn Maloney
Date:   April 1, 1998
RE:     HR 3531, the New Mothers' Breastfeeding
        Promotion and Protection Act

        This is the first in a series of periodic updates on H.R.3531, the New
Mothers' Breastfeeding Promotion and Protection Act, which was
introduced by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Democrat from New York, on March
24, 1998.

        The bill currently has the following House cosponsors:  Jim McDermott,
Donna Christian-Green, Sam Gejdenson, Earl Hilliard, Marcy Kaptur, Tom
Lantos, Zoe Lofgren, Jerrold Nadler, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Bobby Rush,
Karen Thurman, Lynn Woolsey, Martin Frost, Tom Barrett.  Several other
Representatives have requested information about the bill, and we are
hopeful that public support will encourage more members of Congress to
support this bill.  The best way to keep up with who has signed on is on
the web at:  http://thomas.loc.gov/

        In addition, Senator Ted Stevens, a Republican from Alaska, is working
on companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.  If you are live in Alaska,
I encourage you to contact Sen. Stevens with your thoughts on this bill.
 Otherwise, I will keep you updated on the status of any Senate bill.

        H.R.3531 has already been endorsed by the American Academy of
Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, the Association of
Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, the Academy of
Breastfeeding Medicine, the International Lactation Consultant
Association, the National Association for Breastfeeding Advocacy, and
the National Association of WIC Directors.  We are hopeful that
additional organizations will decide to endorse this bill.

        The best source of additional information about H.R. 3531 is available
through the Special Projects section of Rep. Maloney's website at:
www.house.gov/maloney/

        On a personal note, I want to thank all of you for your help and
interest on this important legislation.  Many of you shared your
stories, and others have made valuable suggestions during the drafting
of this bill.  I appreciate your interest and the time you have devoted
to this cause.

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