Purdue News
Purdue News
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NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: The award presentation will be at 3 p.m. Monday (4/19) in the
Mike Mansfield Room (S-207) of the U.S. Capitol.
April 19, 1999
Researcher leads nutrition society recognition of LugarWASHINGTON, D.C. -- For his "unwavering support of agricultural research," Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) will be honored today (Monday, 4/19) with a public service award from the American Society for Nutritional Sciences (ASNS).ASNS president and Purdue University Professor Connie Weaver will present the award to Lugar at the U.S. Capitol. Weaver praised Lugar's efforts to heighten his congressional colleagues' awareness during debate of the agricultural research bill last year. "The senator was so determined to make this legislation happen," Weaver said. "We wanted to give him special thanks not only for bringing agricultural research to the table for serious consideration, but also for the careful steps he took to reach out to the scientific community in order to have the broadest impact." Lugar, as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, negotiated to secure an Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems. It listed six critically emerging research priorities, including human nutrition, and provided $120 million for competitive research grants in the first year. The bill was passed and signed into law last summer, but the initiative has yet to be funded. The ASNS created the new public service award to honor individuals whose work, in a non-scientific area, enhances national support for fundamental nutrition and biomedical research. Weaver is head of the Purdue Department of Foods and Nutrition and a nationally known researcher on minerals in human nutrition, especially calcium and iron. "I am especially pleased to have the opportunity to present this first-time ASNS honor to a fellow Hoosier," Weaver said. ASNS is the principal professional organization of nutrition research scientists in the United States. Its purpose is to develop and extend the knowledge and application of nutrition science. Its 3,500 members are engaged in nutrition-related research at land grant and private institutions, in industry and at federal agencies.
Source: Connie Weaver, (765) 494-8231 Writer: Beth Forbes (765) 494-9723; beth_forbes@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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