Statement by Richard Wood, Chair of the Keep Antibiotics Working Coalition (KAW), on the Passing of Senator Edward Kennedy

KAW | Angela Pauly | August 27, 2009

KAW joins the nation and the many around the world as we mourn the loss of Senator Edward Kennedy, a man whose vision and tireless determination never ceased in his fight to advance greater equality and better healthcare for all Americans.

KAW had the honor and privilege of working closely for over a decade with our ally, Sen. Kennedy, as he championed the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA), a critical piece of legislation that addresses the antibiotic resistance crisis plaguing our nation. PAMTA would help combat this crisis by phasing out the profligate overuse in animal agriculture of antibiotics important to human medicine.

In tribute to his commitment, KAW urges the Senate to continue the fight for public health, by ensuring that antibiotics - the miracle drugs of the 20th century - are not rendered ineffective by their irresponsible overuse in animal agriculture.

As Senator Kennedy himself said upon introducing the bill in 2005, "It is time to put public safety first and stop the abuse of drugs critical to human health."

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