A healthier America. (snapshots).(Senator Tom Harkin supports health causes)

Everybody on Capitol Hill knows that Sen. Tom Harkin is a champion of the responsible use of vitamins, minerals and other supplements as an inexpensive means of increasing wellness and lowering health care costs.

But few people realize that Harkin, 63, also practices what he preaches. In fact, the Iowa Democrat not only eats well, he takes antioxidants and other supplements, and has even used bee pollen to treat his seasonal allergies. "Having successfully tried alternative and complementary medicines, I know that they offer great promise," he says.

Harkin, who joined the House of Representatives in 1974 and the Senate in 1984, has been at the forefront of dietary supplement, food and nutrition issues throughout his congressional tenure. That's because he sees the nation's agricultural bounty as the cornerstone of its strength. "Nutrition is an issue that affects every single American," he says. "It's an essential part of our nation's infrastructure."

No surprise, then, that Harkin has been an early and active supporter of causes such as Head Start, the federal program that provides nutritious breakfasts to disadvantaged schoolchildren. He's also taken the lead on improving food safety and finding new uses for agricultural products. Most recently, as the former chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, he oversaw passage of the 2002 Farm Bill, which President George W. Bush signed into law in May.

"I was proud to push through the bipartisan Farm Bill," Harkin says. "It wasn't everything we wanted, but it was a big step in the right direction." The legislation includes $6.4 billion for nutrition programs such as aid for ...