[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              END CHILDHOOD HUNGER--NOT NUTRITION PROGRAMS

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                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 17, 1995
  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, we all agree that welfare needs to be 
reformed--but we should not throw the baby out with the bath water. The 
Personal Responsibility Act contains a proposal to block grant current 
Federal nutrition programs such as WIC, Food Stamps, and the School 
Breakfast and Lunch Programs. It would remove their entitlement status. 
It would reduce their funding levels. This would be a terrible mistake.
  Block granting these programs would in all likelihood increase hunger 
amongst our Nation's children. States will now have to bear the burden 
of administering the programs with less funding. States will be forced 
to make extremely difficult choices like reducing funding for WIC or 
eliminating the School Breakfast Programs because they are short of 
funds.
  I believe it is part of the Federal Government's job to set 
priorities for our Nation and for me, our children are the priority. We 
can't, in good conscience, be unmoved when children go to bed hungry at 
night. We can't just send the issue of childhood hunger to the States 
and hope the problem goes away.
  These food assistance programs serve as an important safety net for 
children. The Food Stamp Program alone serves 10 percent of the 
population in America--half of which are children. We know that for 
every dollar spent on WIC, we save $5 in health care costs later on 
down the road. We know that every child who participates in the School 
Breakfast Program is better able to learn in school and thus is more 
prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
  It is time to end childhood hunger, not successful nutrition programs 
that feed hungry children.


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