[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 40 (Friday, March 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SCHOOL LUNCHES ARE IMPORTANT FOR OUR CHILDREN

  (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, the proposal to change the Child Nutrition 
Program into block grants will hurt the children of the 25th District 
in Texas. This week the Texas School Food Service Association visited 
me and explained the consequences of this proposal.
  With the new block grant scheme, which in essence will give fixed 
sums to the States, Texas will lose big--close to a 30-percent 
reduction in moneys to the children of Texas. It is estimated for 
instance that the Houston Independent School District [HISD], one of 
many school districts in the 25th District, would lose $1.677 million 
next year to provide nutritious breakfasts and lunches for children.
  I do not believe that HISD will fail to serve these children. Instead 
other educational programs will have to be cut. If we want our kids to 
learn and grow up to be productive citizens, we cannot expect them to 
starve in the process. In many cases, school meals are the only 
nutritious meals that children will receive each day.
  This Republican proposal will actually create 50 new bureaucracies in 
50 States. In addition, the new program will not have one national 
nutritional standard. Without a good meal, many children will have 
trouble learning. We need to invest in our children to ensure our 
future. The School Lunch Program today successfully feeds an average of 
13 million children each day with a well balanced meal.
  Mr. Speaker, as we say at home, don't mess with Texas. Mr. Speaker, 
don't mess with the kids' school lunch.

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