Environmental health in schools is an orphan issue. The federal government has to take more of a leadership role at all different levels: research and surveillance, guidelines for maintenance and repairs, and new construction.

Kids are in a total vacuum. Teachers and staff are in a partial vacuum. None of the federal agencies are doing enough.

This is an appropriate role for the federal government - to invest in basic research.

What's the problem with health care reform today? It's the principal of the thing.

We don't want the efficiency of the federal government and the compassion of the IRS to run our health care.

Adult obesity and overweight statistics have increased by about 50 percent since the Dietary Goals were announced. [by the federal government, in 1977] That bears repeating: a 50 percent increase in obesity/overweight correlated with a 10 percent decrease in fat content in the diet.