The future of the chiropractic profession in the United States depends a great deal on the progress we can make legislatively. Federal laws and regulations help eliminate anti-chiropractic discrimination in the health care arena, and open doors previously closed to D.C.s. In the past few years, major chiropractic organizations such as the World Chiropractic Alliance, have devoted much of their time and energy on such legislative issues as the Veterans Affairs bill, the HCFA hearings, and House Concurrent Resolution 46.

Since what happens in the U.S. Capital is so crucial to chiropractic, it's important to have "friends" in Washington who understand chiropractic and appreciate the unique role it plays in health care. One of the most supportive of those friends is Rep. Donald A. Manzullo of Illinois.

During the WCA International Summit 2001, Rep. Manzullo told attendees how chiropractic saved his eyesight, and voiced his enthusiastic support for the profession. A firm believer in the rights of small business owners, he also spoke about the need to encourage and promote D.C.s in private practice. This has been the principle that has guided much of his work as Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, which oversees the Small Business Administration and a broad range of issues that matter to businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

Rep. Manzullo has done more than speak out in support of chiropractic -- he's taken important actions which could have a significant long-term effect on the profession.

In March, 2001, he introduced House Concurrent Resolution 46, which "expresses the understanding of Congress" about chiropractic. It states unequivocally that chiropractic has a unique role in health care and that all government employees should have access to chiropractic care. It also affirms that doctors of chiropractic are the only providers educated and trained to perform chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations, and as such, chiropractic adjustments should be provided only by a licensed doctor of chiropractic.

Perhaps most important of all, the resolution specifies that "Chiropractic care includes diagnosis, correction, and management of either vertebral subluxations or neuromusculoskeletal conditions performed by a licensed doctor of chiropractic, and should not include the use of drugs or surgery."

The Resolution has won the endorsement of every major chiropractic organization, including the World Chiropractic Alliance, the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractors Association and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges.

Thanks, in part, to Manzullo's hard work -- as well as a grassroots effort by doctors and their patients -- numerous members of Congress have signed onto the bill as co-sponsors.

The Illinois legislator has also been working hard behind the scenes to generate support for the chiropractic postage stamp. In April, 2001, he sent a letter to all his colleagues in the House of Representatives urging them to encourage the Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring B.J. Palmer.

In the letter, he told his fellow legislators: "Chiropractic plays an important role in international and American health care today. It has a rich American history and is still the only major health discipline founded in America. The next U.S. Postage Stamp to honor wellness or American health care should commemorate B.J. Palmer's significant contribution to American culture and history."

For his contributions to chiropractic, Manzullo was awarded the 2001 World Chiropractic Alliance "Outstanding Service" Award, which will be officially presented to the congressman during the 2002 WCA International Summit in April.

"We're lucky to have a friend like Rep. Manzullo in Congress and we need to help ensure that he is re-elected," stated Terry A. Rondberg, D.C. "That's why I'm asking each of you to make a donation to the Manzullo For Congress Committee. Now is the time to show our gratitude for the help Rep. Manzullo is giving us on Capitol Hill, and make sure he continues to be there when we need him in the future."