***PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY*** KENNEDY OFFERS AMENDMENT TO ADDRESS AVIAN FLU Senator Kennedy Continues Push for National Preparedness Plan and Appropriate Funding for Safety Measures

WASHINGTON, DC- TODAY, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Senator Tom Harkin will offer an amendment to the Department of Labor and Health and Human Services appropriations bill to help ensure that the United States is prepared for a pandemic flu outbreak. Senator Kennedy joined Senator Harkin to attach an amendment to the Department of Defense appropriations bill earlier this month and has worked with Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid in offering a bill to outline the safeguards and funding that must be in place as the U.S. prepares for the avian flu. This amendment would add more of the needed funding. Senator Kennedy believes that the last thing the country needs right now is a major health crisis, yet the warning signs are there, and we need to be prepared. The avian flu virus now spreading in Southeast Asia and is highly lethal. Unlike typical flu, it kills half the people infected. In the past few weeks, Indonesia has confirmed that a number of adults and children have recently died from the virus. Senators Kennedy and Harkin will hold a press conference on their plan at 11:30 AM in the Senate Radio TV Gallery in the U.S. Capitol. WHO: SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY SENATOR TOM HARKIN WHAT: PRESS CONFERENCE ON AVIAN FLU WHEN: TODAY, OCTOBER 26 11:30 A.M. WHERE: SENATE RADIO-TV GALLERY ###