Walter Becky, CEO of Morton Salt

U.N. Special Session on Children, May 8th, 2002.

"The network we have established will play a critical role in making certain that the elimination of iodine deficiency globally will continue and, most importantly, be maintained. This partnership is a rare opportunity, which we highly value, to participate in a great humanitarian effort.

In the United States, our salt industry has been adding iodine to salt for the past 78 years. As a result, iodine deficiency disorders have been virtually eliminated from newborn babies, nearly guaranteeing that children have the capacity to enjoy and embrace a good education. This is critical for young people today in order to progress in an ever-more competitive world. It is critical, as well, for the children in developing nations.

The salt industry stands ready to share the technical expertise we have acquired over the years. Also, communication is an important element, and advertising and marketing campaigns have helped educate the U.S. public on the need to have iodine in the diet. These marketing campaigns focused on the role iodized salt played in protecting the mental capacities of children. Concepts like these, if adopted universally, could bring us closer to our goal of eliminating iodine deficiency globally."