[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONCERNING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD IN SCHOOLS TO 
            HUNGRY OR MALNOURISHED CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2004

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today 
to discuss an issue that is one of my top legislative priorities, the 
importance of food distribution in schools to hungry or malnourished 
children around the world. This bill passed the Senate June 3, 2004, 
and I hope that we in the House of Representatives can expedite its 
passage today as well.
  As chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, it continues to 
trouble me that there are more than 300,000,000 chronically hungry and 
malnourished children in the world. More than half of these children go 
to school on an empty stomach, and almost as many do not attend school 
at all, but might if food were available.
  Distributing food in schools is one of the simplest and most 
effective strategies to fight hunger and malnourishment among children. 
When school meals are offered to hungry or malnourished children, 
attendance rates increase significantly, particularly for girls.
  Improving the quality and access to education for girls is one of the 
most important factors in reducing child malnutrition in developing 
countries. Girls who attend schools tend to marry later in life and 
have fewer children, thereby helping them escape a life of poverty.
  At a time when we are trying to encourage many countries to adopt 
educational infrastructure to lay the groundwork for teaching 
democratic ideals, we must be more attuned to the barriers preventing 
children from attending school. Distributing food in schools has been 
correlated to better school attendance.
  We must continue to work to improve the literacy rates and increase 
job opportunities. Education addresses several of the root causes of 
terrorism, and we can do something to impact it right now. The 
distribution of food in schools increases attendance of children who 
might otherwise be susceptible to recruitment by groups that offer them 
food in return for their attendance at extremist schools or 
participation in terrorist training camps.
  It is my hope that our President will work with the United Nations 
and its member states to expand international contributions for the 
distribution of food in schools around the world.

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