S.T.O.P. - Safe Tables Our Priority

Comments of Patricia K. Buck
September 23, 2025
Washington, D.C.

Hello, my name is Patricia Buck and I am the mother of Barbara and the grandmother of Kevin Kowalcyk who died as the result of an E.coli O157:H7 infection on August 11, 2001.

As Barbara said, Kevin's illness and death were horrific. There really is no other way to describe it. We try not to think about Kevin's pain level, but we know that he must have been in great pain. Towards the end, the medical staff advised us not to touch him, so it wasn't until after his death that we could hug and pet and kiss our beloved child.

Exactly one month after Kevin's death, the Twin Towers came tumbling down, and since then, I have been struck with how much Kevin's death, for me, is like that event. Both the terrorist attacks and Kevin dying from contaminated food were "happenings" that were totally outside of my "things-that-could-happen" list as an American citizen.

This is why I am here. This is why my family members have become such strong food safety advocates. We will not let Kevin's death go unanswered.

According to CDC data, almost half of the reported cases of E.coli O157:H7 and Salmonella occur in children under 15 years of age, with the heaviest burden falling on the under 10 age group. Most Listeria cases occur in infants under one year of age and in the elderly.

What do these statistics mean to Americans who purchase food? The answer is somewhat disturbing. These statistics should be telling American parents, grandparents or any other adult caring for children that extra special care needs be taken when purchasing and preparing food for children. Likewise, senior citizens should be very proactive about their own choices and their own preparations of food.

USDA would agree with these comments. In all of their numerous educational efforts, USDA cautions people with this type of warning: Foodborne illness can pose a serious threat to children, the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Since March 2002, I have made the 300 mile trip from my home to D.C. more than twenty times-that's 12,000 miles. During those visits, I have met with about 40 Senate offices and 60 House offices, and these meetings are pretty equally divided between Republicans and Democrats. I have also met with various USDA officials and consumer groups. Throughout all of this, I have been amazed at how generous the legislative staff and governmental officials have been with their time to listen to my appeal, and yes, I very appreciative of that.

But what I really want is some action: Many people agree with me. They, like me, feel that the time has come to make improvements in America's food systems; therefore, I feel justified in issuing this challenge to all candidates involved in the 2004 national and state elections: step up to the plate and tell your constituents how you stand on these solutions to food safety failures:

· Are you for or against legislation that will demand enforcement of performance standards?
· Would you support bills that give USDA mandatory recall power?
· What will you do to make sure that victims of foodborne diseases can traceback their illnesses to its source?
· How will you vote if a single food agency is proposed?

These are the questions that are burned into my mind because on all counts, despite all efforts, these issues have not yet been brought to the floor of Congress for serious consideration. Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives' Food Safety Caucus sponsored a comprehensive, bipartisan food safety forum to educate Congressional members about food safety issues. In my opinion, this was an important step in recognizing that foodborne illness is a serious public health threat, and I commend Congress for this initiative.

It is my hope that when the 109th Congress convenes, these long delayed issues will become a focus, and as a result, America's food supply will be improved.