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June 30, 2003 Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist 461 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Frist: On behalf of the Corn Refiners Association, Inc. (CRA), I would like to thank you for your sponsorship of S. 1172, the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act (IMPACT). We believe this bill is a rational, effective means to combat America's obesity problem. As one of this country's leading producers and manufacturers of food products and ingredients, the corn refining industry is heavily involved with the ongoing "war on obesity." It is encouraging that you have chosen to join this "battle" by supporting IMPACT, rather than joining some legislators and other "public interest" groups who have chosen to discriminate against certain foods through litigation, regulation and taxation. Such discriminatory action ignores the true cause of America's childhood obesity problem. The truth is America's child obesity problem has been caused by an increase in daily caloric consumption concurrent with a major lack of physical activity by Americans. Between 1977 and 1995, individual caloric intake increased by almost 200 calories per day, from 1,876 calories to 2,043 calories. Theoretically, consuming an extra 100 calories a day for a year can lead to a gain of 10 pounds. At the same time, children are consuming more calories and they have become physically inactive. According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, only about one-half of U.S. young people (ages 12-21 years) regularly participate in vigorous physical activity, and one-fourth reported no vigorous physical activity at all. On the flip side, one-quarter of U.S. children spend 4 hours or more watching television daily. By focusing on the importance of balanced nutrition and increased physical activity, IMPACT will go a long way toward improving our children's health and well-being. As you know, Tennessee is home to two major corn refining facilities. On behalf of the hard-working employees of those facilities, and the countless corn growers who benefit from those facilities, I thank you for your continued support of our industry. Sincerely, Audrae Erickson President Corn Refiners Association, Inc. PLEASE NOTE: Similar letters also were sent to the following legislators: Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH), Rep. John Duncan (R-TN), Rep. Tim Johnson (R-IL), Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL), Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN), Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA), and Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA). 
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