[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1257-H1259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1345
NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1013) expressing the sense of Congress
that providing breakfast in schools through the National School
Breakfast Program has a positive impact on classroom performance.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1013
Whereas breakfast program participants under the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 include public, private, elementary,
middle, and high schools, as well as rural, suburban, and
urban schools;
Whereas almost 17,000 schools that participate in the
National School Lunch Program do not participate in the
National School Breakfast Program;
Whereas in fiscal year 2006, 7,700,000 students in the
United States consumed free or reduced-price school
breakfasts provided under the National School Breakfast
Program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act
of 1966;
Whereas less than half of the low-income students who
participate in the National School Lunch Program also
participate in the school breakfast program;
Whereas implementing or improving classroom breakfast
programs have been shown to increase the participation of
eligible students in breakfast consumption dramatically,
doubling, and in some cases tripling, numbers, as evidenced
by research in Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin;
Whereas making breakfast widely available through different
venues or a combination thereof, such as in the classroom,
obtained as students exit their school bus, or outside the
classroom, has been shown to lessen the stigma of receiving
free or reduced-price breakfast, which often prevents
eligible students from obtaining traditional breakfast in the
cafeteria;
Whereas providing free universal breakfast, especially in
the classroom, has been shown to significantly increase
school breakfast participation rates and increase absences
and tardiness;
Whereas studies have shown that access to nutritious
programs such as the National School Lunch Program and
National School Breakfast Program helps to create a strong
learning environment for children and helps to improve
children's concentration in the classroom;
Whereas providing breakfast in the classroom has been shown
in several instances to improve attentiveness and academic
performance, while reducing tardiness and disciplinary
referrals;
Whereas students who eat a complete breakfast have been
shown to make fewer mistakes and work faster in math
exercises than those who eat a partial breakfast;
Whereas studies suggest that eating breakfast closer to
classroom and test-taking time improves student performance
on standardized tests relative to students who skip breakfast
or have breakfast at home;
Whereas studies show that students who skip breakfast are
more likely to have difficulty distinguishing among similar
images, show increased errors, and have slower memory recall;
Whereas children who live in families that experience
hunger have been shown to be more likely to have lower math
scores, face an increased likelihood of repeating a grade,
and receive more special education services;
Whereas studies suggest that children who eat breakfast
have more adequate nutrition and intake of nutrients, such as
calcium, fiber, protein, and vitamins A, E, D, and B-6; and
Whereas children who fail to eat breakfast, whether in
school or at home, are more likely to be overweight than
children who eat a daily healthy breakfast: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the importance of the National School
Breakfast Program and its overall positive effect on the
lives of low-income children and families, as well as its
effect on helping to improve a child's overall classroom
performance;
(2) expresses support for States that have successfully
implemented school breakfast programs in order to improve the
test scores and grades of its participating students; and
(3) encourages states to strengthen their school breakfast
programs by improving access for students, to promote
improvements in the nutritional quality of breakfasts served,
and to inform students and parents of healthy nutritional and
lifestyle choices.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for 5
legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to
H. Res. 1013 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might
consume to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I thank so much the gentleman
from Illinois for yielding.
I rise today to express my strong support for H. Res. 1013, which
emphasizes
[[Page H1258]]
the importance of school breakfast programs and their positive impact
on a child's overall academic performance.
Again, I would like to thank the Education and Labor Committee for
bringing this resolution forward in honor of National School Breakfast
Week.
Mr. Speaker, every 35 seconds a child is born into poverty in this
country. A recent survey done by the Department of Agriculture reported
the prevalence of persistent hunger among children in the United States
to be about 18 percent. In fact, as a Nation, we've seen a steady
increase in childhood poverty since 2000, and we're now at nearly 13
million poor children. This means that every year there's an increased
need for child nutrition programs.
Children represent a disproportionate share of the poor, Mr. Speaker,
in the United States. While children are only 25 percent of our total
population, they represent 35 percent of the poor.
With increased energy costs, medical copayments, higher rents and
mortgages, these children live in distressed families that have
difficulty providing their children an adequate breakfast every day.
The National School Breakfast Program is one of the most important
school nutrition programs because it provides children with the
nutrients needed to get the school day off to a healthy start; and,
indeed, the National School Breakfast Program serves as a critical
safety net for America's poor.
In fiscal year 2006, 9.8 million students participated in the
National School Breakfast Program, and a total of 1.7 billion
breakfasts were served, 81 percent of which were free or at reduced
prices.
This past year, my own State of Wisconsin saw the most significant
increase in school breakfast participation with a 25.3 percent growth
rate, and that is largely due to implementation of universal classroom
breakfast in most of Milwaukee's public elementary schools.
School breakfasts under this program must meet the nutrition
standards under the Dietary Guidelines for Americans which recommend
that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat
and less than 10 percent from saturated fats. In addition, breakfasts
must provide one-fourth of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for
protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and calories.
A 2002 study done by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard
Medical School concluded that children who are at nutritional risk have
significantly poorer attendance, punctuality, and poorer grades.
The study also showed that children whose parents reported food
insufficiency were more likely to have repeated a grade in school,
lower scores on standardized tests, lower grades in math, and more days
tardy and absent from school.
Studies have also shown that students who fail to eat an adequate
breakfast increase their chances of becoming obese.
With the growing amount of uninsured children, we must work to
establish and expand the National School Breakfast Program in all
States.
So, in honor of National School Breakfast Week, I ask that you vote
to pass this resolution.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1013,
expressing the sense of the Congress that providing breakfast in
schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive
impact on classroom performance.
The National School Breakfast Program was created in 1966 to help
schools serving breakfast to ``nutritionally needy'' children. Made
permanent in 1975, the program focuses on those schools where
assistance is needed to provide adequate nutrition for students.
The School Breakfast Program is administered by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service through State education
agencies, in agreement with local school food authorities, in nearly
84,000 schools and institutions.
In fiscal year 2006, over 9.7 million children participated in the
School Breakfast Program daily. Of those, 7.9 million received their
meals for free or at a reduced price. In my home State of Illinois,
more than 223,000 students received free and reduced-price breakfasts
daily.
Public or nonprofit private schools serving K-12 and public or
nonprofit private residential child care institutions may participate
in the School Breakfast Program. School districts and independent
schools that choose to take part in the breakfast program receive cash
subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each meal they
serve. In return, they must serve breakfasts that meet Federal
requirements, and they must offer free or reduced breakfasts to
eligible children.
Many States that have implemented school breakfast programs have seen
encouraging outcomes. Maryland has seen an increase in standardized
test scores 17 percent above the State average, an 8 percent reduction
in tardiness, and a reduction in referrals to the office for discipline
by 20 percent.
Unfortunately, the problem persists that millions of children go to
school hungry each day, even though breakfast is the most important
meal of the day. The Federal child nutrition programs can offer a great
deal in the promotion of nutrition and wellness, especially in terms of
assisting those children most in need. That is why I stand in support
of this resolution, encouraging every child to start the school day
with a nutritious breakfast in order to learn, grow, and develop to
their fullest potential.
I ask for my colleagues' support.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he might
consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires).
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, let me start by recognizing the good work of
my colleague, Congresswoman Gwen Moore. I appreciate her efforts to
bring this important program to our attention.
The School Breakfast Program began as a pilot program in 1966 and has
grown to serve over 10 million children nationwide. In New Jersey,
almost 145,000 students ate a school breakfast during the 2007 school
year; yet there are many students who cannot participate because their
school does not offer this program.
This is important because research has shown how vital a good
breakfast is for learning. Children who eat a healthy breakfast have
higher standardized test scores; do much better in math, reading, and
vocabulary tests; and attend school more regularly compared with
children who do not eat breakfast.
Congress should act to increase funding for this program so that many
more students can be served. It is a smart investment in our future. I
encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution and this
important program.
I thank Congresswoman Moore.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers. So, if there are
none on the other side, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself time to close.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1013, which expresses
the sense of Congress that providing breakfast in school has a positive
impact on classroom performance.
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Indeed, good nutrition is a vital factor in a child's ability to grow
and thrive. According to the Center on Hunger, Poverty and Nutrition,
hungry children have less energy for cognitive and social activities,
thereby hampering their ability to learn.
The National School Breakfast Program was established as a pilot
program by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and made permanent in 1975.
The program was created to ensure that all students start the school
day with a nutritious breakfast and enter the classroom ready to learn.
Over the last five decades, the National School Breakfast Program has
continued to grow. It now operates in nearly 84,000 public and
nonprofit schools and residential care institutions nationwide. In
2006, 9.7 million children participated in the National School
Breakfast Program each day; 7.9 million of those students received free
or reduced-price breakfasts.
Again, I want to commend my colleague from Wisconsin, Representative
Gwendolyn Moore, for introducing this resolution, join with all of
those
[[Page H1259]]
who have expressed its merit, and urge passage.
Mr. McGOVERN. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal
of the day. We also know that it's nearly impossible to learn on an
empty stomach. These are two of the most important reasons why the
school breakfast program is so important.
I'm pleased to be a cosponsor of this important resolution
recognizing the importance of school breakfasts. I want to commend the
gentlewoman from Wisconsin, Congresswoman Moore, for introducing this
important resolution and I want to recognize and honor the members of
the School Nutrition Association who are here in Washington, DC, this
week for their national conference.
The school breakfast program allows qualified students to eat a meal
at school for either free or for a reduced price. Together with the
school lunch program and after school meal programs, the school
breakfast program allows America's school-aged children to receive
nutritious meals while at school.
Unfortunately, there are shortcomings in the school meal program that
need to be addressed in the future.
One issue is the underfunding of summer feeding programs. The Federal
Government does not fund summer meals at the same level as it funds
meals delivered at school. Any child who receives a meal at school
shouldn't have to go without a meal during the summer months simply
because Congress doesn't properly fund that part of the program.
Another is obesity and nutritious foods. Obesity is a real crisis and
we need to ensure that our children are eating the most nutritious
foods available. School meals must meet rigorous nutritional standards
and they should be consistent nationwide. We also have to be conscious
about the rising cost of food and the impact of these rising costs on
the school meal programs.
A third issue is the difference between free and reduced price meals.
Unfortunately, some qualified children receive free meals at school
while others must pay a portion of the meal price.
Finally, I want to express my strong support for school breakfast
programs that begin when class starts, or ``at the bell.'' Most
children who eat school breakfast must arrive at school before class
starts. That can be both a hardship for the children and their families
in trying to get them to school in time to eat. But it can also be a
social stigma for these children who arrive early to eat because it's
clear which children must arrive early to eat. We can eliminate that
social stigma by serving school breakfasts at the bell.
The Child Nutrition Act will be reauthorized next year, and we will
have an opportunity to make substantive improvements in these important
school meal programs. But today, we are recognizing the importance of
the school breakfast programs and honoring the people who administer
and work on these programs in school districts across the country.
Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National School
Breakfast Week and in support of a resolution that recognizes how
providing breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast
Program has a positive impact on classroom performance.
It is often stated that breakfast is the most important meal of the
day, and yet a great number of children begin their school day without
access to a nutritious breakfast. As a former member of the House
Education and Labor Committee and the father of two young boys, I
understand the vital link between a healthy diet and successful
performance in school. We must ensure that schools have the resources
necessary to provide each student the nourishment necessary to get them
through their day.
With over 8.1 million students participating in the school breakfast
program, schools recognize the benefits of making sure that all
children have a healthy breakfast to start their day; however, there
are still many students not at the table and their academic progress
may be suffering. It has been shown that school breakfast programs have
led to a drastic reduction in school tardiness and provide students
with the vital nutrients they need for remaining attentive in class and
processing the information. They receive. We can simultaneously improve
the physical well-being of our students while also improving their
performance in the classroom.
The National School Breakfast Program provides students with the
healthy start to the day that they need to succeed. I ask my fellow
Members to join me in offering their full support of this resolution.
Together we can ensure that our commitment to the physical health of
our students matches our commitment to their academic progress.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker I rise today in support of H.
Con. Res. 1013 Expressing the sense of the Congress that providing
breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has
a positive impact on classroom performance.
Research shows that eating breakfast affects a child's overall
performance during school. A nutritious breakfast provides students
with the energy needed to start the day. Students who eat breakfast
before school do not face hunger symptoms such as headache, fatigue,
sleepiness and restlessness. In turn eating breakfast helps students to
think faster when doing school work and respond more clearly to teacher
questions.
A good balanced breakfast has been linked to causing an increase in
mental performance, helping to keep students from ``drifting'' during
class, causing them to be calmer and less anxious. Those are things
that are important for success in class.
Studies also show that eating a solid breakfast is a major way to
fight child obesity. Because this is an easy way to fight obesity
breakfast helps not only in the area of health but in academics as
well. It is hard for our children to have their minds on school when
their stomachs are empty. Because of this reason and the important link
between adequate nourishment and educational performance I stand in
support of H. Con. Res. 10l3.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1013.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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