[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            EXPLAINING THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM TO CHILDREN
  (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, in light of recent committee action I 
cannot help but be struck by the irony that next week is National 
School Breakfast Week. I cannot help wonder what I am saying today to 
students at Barnard School in Greece, NY, when I go to their breakfast 
and say what I heard this morning was the Republican contract said that 
if you give school lunches and school breakfasts it helps to break up 
American families.
  What am I going to say to a group of homeless students tomorrow, 
students who would not be in school today if the Congress had not 
provided for their education? Do I explain to them that Congress no 
longer believes that they are worthy of our support?
  Should I say to the school children in the city of Rochester, NY, 
where over 35,000 students are eligible for free or reduced-priced 
lunches that they need a more effective lobby? Should I say to the 
homeless students that perhaps if they were to tie their needs to that 
of the agricultural industry, they could expect their program to be 
preserved?
  Mr. Speaker, we all love to talk about how our children are our 
future, but with the recent actions of this body, our children must be 
wondering how they are supposed to be prepared for it.

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