Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, every day almost 50 million children pass through the doors of public schools across the country.

For these young people, school is a place to learn, make friends, and be exposed to new things.

For a small number of children, however, lunch time, a classmate's birthday party, or a piece of candy from a friend can risk exposure to foods that can cause a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction.

Although food allergies are common--with one out of every 25 children having a food allergy--you may not personally know a child that suffers from severe food allergies.

But I am sure you have heard the sad stories about students trying a new food at lunch or accidentally eating something containing peanuts or soy.

Most of us wouldn't even notice the peanuts or soy, but for these kids the consequences can be fatal.

Their throats constrict, making them fight for every breath. And if they don't get a life-saving shot of epinephrine within minutes they can die.

Last year, I met with the mother of 7-year-old Amarria Johnson from Virginia.

One day at recess a friend gave Amarria a peanut, which triggered a severe allergic reaction.

By the time emergency crews arrived they could not resuscitate her.

This was the first time Amarria had a severe allergic reaction, so she did not have an epinephrine shot prescribed for her at the school to use in an emergency.

Almost 4 years ago in my home state, a 13-year-old named Katelyn Carlson passed away from a severe allergic reaction after she ate Chinese food during a party in her 7th grade class.

Our hearts ache when we hear tragic stories like this, but in most cases they could have been prevented.

A year after Katelyn passed away, Illinois Governor Quinn signed a law that I hope will prevent another child from dying from an anaphylactic reaction because the school does not have epinephrine on hand.

Today I introduced, along with Senator KIRK, a bill that encourages every state to follow Illinois' example.

The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act encourages states to require all schools to maintain a supply of epinephrine on the premises and to allow trained school personnel to administer epinephrine if a child is having a serious anaphylactic reaction.

Schools can help by being prepared and allowed to treat a child in the few minutes they have to save their life.

Considering that children spend about 28 percent of their time at school, schools can and should play a role in responding to students that have a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction.

Currently students with severe allergies are allowed to self-administer epinephrine if they are having a serious allergic reaction.

But what if the child forgets their epinephrine at home?

What about the many children who don't even know they have an allergy?

About 25 percent of epinephrine administrations in schools involve young people with no previous allergy.

Dying from a severe allergic reaction is preventable.

Unfortunately most of our schools are not prepared for the likely event that a student has a severe allergic reaction.

A 2001 study on a small group of young people found that 28 percent of school-aged children who died due to allergic reaction, died at school, and epinephrine was either not administered or was administered too late.

We can do better.

States should require schools to keep epinephrine on hand, and school personnel need to be trained to identify a severe allergic reaction and know how to respond.

I will work with Senator KIRK and my colleagues in Congress to pass this bill, which I hope will help protect kids when they try a new food during lunch time or are given a cookie from a classmate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.

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