[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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