[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 39 (Thursday, March 2, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM HELPS THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST

  (Mr. BEVILL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEVILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to fight 
back attempts to end the National School Lunch Program. This is one of 
the best programs we have because it helps those who need help the 
most.
  For 49 years, this program has helped the schoolchildren of this 
Nation. For many of these children, their school lunch is the most 
nutritious meal they get all day. This program has meant that poor 
children do not have to go hungry during the day.
  I cannot imagine anything more mean-spirited than taking food away 
from hungry children. This is certainly no way to promote strong family 
values. And, it is certainly no way to promote better health and better 
educational opportunities. Hungry children have a hard time learning.
  By proposing to end this national program, Congress essentially is 
saying to the States, ``It's your problem now. Deal with it.'' I doubt 
that many States would have the financial ability to meet this need in 
difficult economic times. During the last recession, 1.2 million 
additional children received free school lunches. A block grant program 
certainly wouldn't take up the shortfall during a recession. States 
like Alabama which serve a large percentage of low-income children 
would be penalized.
  Nationwide, more than 25 million school children participate in the 
National School Lunch Program. Approximately 56 percent of Alabama's 
schoolchildren receive free or reduced price school lunches. 
Approximately 87 percent of Alabama's schoolchildren receive free or 
reduced price school breakfasts. Under the proposed cuts, our State 
would lose an estimated $141.5 million by the year 2000 to feed these 
children, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  I certainly think we can make the school lunch program more flexible 
and easier to administer for the States. But, under no circumstances 
should we jeopardize the health and well-being of our Nation's 
children. They are our most important national resource.

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