[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H995-H997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 362) expressing the support of the House of 
Representatives for the goals and ideals of the National School Lunch 
Program, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 362

       Whereas the National School Lunch Program is declared to be 
     the policy of the United States Congress, as a measure of 
     national security, to safeguard the health and well-being of 
     the Nation's children and to encourage the domestic 
     consumption of nutritious agricultural commodities and other 
     food, by assisting the States, through grants-in-aid and 
     other means, in providing an adequate supply of food and 
     other facilities for the establishment, maintenance, 
     operation, and expansion of nonprofit school lunch programs;
       Whereas Federal regulations further state that 
     participating schools shall ensure that children gain a full 
     understanding of the relationship between proper eating and 
     good health;
       Whereas local educational agencies are responsible for 
     collaborating with the school community to implement 
     comprehensive nutrition and wellness policies in schools that 
     participate in the National School Lunch Program;
       Whereas all of the Nation's more than 49,000,000 pupils 
     deserve access to high-quality, safe, nutritious meals 
     available in the school setting, recognizing the link between 
     adequate nourishment and educational performance;
       Whereas children that experience hunger have been shown to 
     be more likely to have

[[Page H996]]

     lower math scores, decreased attentiveness, increased 
     likelihood of repeating a grade, increased absences and 
     tardiness, and more referrals to special education services;
       Whereas in 2009, the National School Lunch Program in the 
     United States provided over 31,000,000 meals to school 
     children daily, and must comply with rigorous State and 
     Federal requirements, provide adequate food preparation and 
     dining facilities, and cover costs to provide reimbursable 
     meals including food, energy, transportation, labor, and 
     other costs;
       Whereas the National School Lunch Program must provide 
     nutritious meals that are consistent with the goals of the 
     most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans;
       Whereas the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies 
     of Sciences recommends increased amounts of fruits, 
     vegetables, and whole grains in the National School Lunch 
     Program, and that measures to improve the quality of meals 
     may increase program costs and the need for administrative 
     support;
       Whereas school food service must operate on a nonprofit 
     basis, and it is expected that the Federal subsidy for a free 
     meal will, on average, cover the costs of producing a 
     reimbursable meal;
       Whereas the U.S. Department of Agriculture identified that 
     the full cost to produce a reimbursable lunch generally 
     exceeds the Federal reimbursement for a free lunch; and
       Whereas revenue deficits in school meal programs must be 
     offset by generating additional revenue from other sources 
     that may otherwise support classroom instruction: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of the National School 
     Lunch Program; and
       (2) recognizes that America's pupils deserve access to 
     high-quality, safe, nutritious meals available in the school 
     setting.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Thompson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during 
which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous 
material on House Resolution 362 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COURTNEY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 362, which 
expresses the House of Representatives' support of the goals and ideals 
of the National School Lunch Program.
  When it comes to education in our country, we traditionally focus on 
reading, writing, and extracurricular activities. We want to ensure 
that our students have access to well-trained teachers and to the tools 
they need to achieve academic success. However, we often forget that an 
essential tool to any child's academic success can also be found 
outside the classroom--in the school cafeteria.
  Children who are hungry are at a disadvantage to their peers. Studies 
have shown that children who experience hunger throughout the day have 
higher likelihoods of receiving lower math scores, of having decreased 
attentiveness, increased absences and tardiness, and a higher chance of 
having to repeat a grade. Children who are not well nourished are also 
more likely to need referrals to special education services.
  We know that nearly one-third of our Nation's children today are 
overweight and obese. Obesity rates have soared over the past four 
decades among children of all age groups, increasing nearly five-fold 
among those who are ages 6 through 11. Teaching children to have a 
healthy relationship with food and nutrition has never been more 
important.
  First Lady Michelle Obama has initiated an exciting new program to 
help solve this challenge. The ``Let's Move!'' campaign directs 
attention to four areas: helping parents make healthy family choices; 
serving healthier food in schools; improving access to healthy, 
affordable food in communities; and increasing physical activity.
  The National School Lunch Program can have a central role in the 
First Lady's efforts to help children develop healthy behaviors and to 
achieve their highest potential. For over 60 years, the National School 
Lunch Program has served as a safeguard for the health and nutritional 
well-being of our Nation's children. Every day, over 31 million meals 
are served to schoolchildren across the country.
  Madam Speaker, I would also like to take note of the changes we have 
seen in school food menus over the years. In cafeterias in all of our 
communities, you might find menus which offer salad bars with fresh 
fruit, whole wheat pizza, or freshly made chicken wraps. The days of 
``mystery meat'' are past. Today, students want to eat in the school 
cafeteria because the food tastes good and there are many food options.
  However, we know from the most recent report from the Institute of 
Medicine that healthy foods cost more. The U.S. Department of 
Agriculture has reported that the full cost to produce a reimbursable 
lunch generally exceeds that of the Federal reimbursement for free 
lunches. To help address this concern, the President has requested an 
additional $1 billion for child nutrition programs to help improve 
nutrition quality and to make these programs accessible to more 
children. These funds will go a long way in school cafeterias across 
the country.
  I look forward to working with the President and with my colleagues, 
particularly with those on the House Education and Labor Committee, on 
this initiative.
  Lastly, Madam Speaker, this week, each of us may be receiving visits 
from our local school food service directors. I want to acknowledge the 
fine work of the school food service workers who help to educate our 
children on nutrition and who work hard every day to serve them safe 
and healthy meals. They are the front line in these efforts, and they 
deserve our thanks.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Watson of 
California for introducing this important resolution, which highlights 
the need for this program, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 362, 
expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals 
and ideals of the National School Lunch Program.
  The National School Lunch Program was first established by the 
National School Lunch Act in 1946. The program enables students to 
purchase school lunches at a free or reduced price, focusing on 
students whose families cannot afford the full price of school meals. 
The program also promotes a basic understanding of nutrition and 
healthful eating.
  In fiscal year 2009, over 31.2 million children participated in the 
School Lunch Program every day; 19.4 million of those children received 
their meals for free or at a reduced rate. Participation has steadily 
grown over the years since the program was first established over 60 
years ago. The School Lunch Program is administered in approximately 
101,000 schools and institutions by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service. At the State level, it is 
administered by State education agencies through agreements with local 
school food authorities.
  Public or nonprofit private schools, serving grades K through 12, and 
public or nonprofit private residential child care institutions may 
participate in the School Lunch Program. School districts and 
independent schools that participate in the Lunch Program receive cash 
subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each meal or 
snack they serve and USDA foods or commodities. In return, they must 
serve lunches and snacks that meet Federal requirements, and they must 
offer free or reduced-price lunches to eligible children.
  The National School Lunch Program helps to provide meals during the 
school day to students who may not otherwise be able to afford them. I 
stand in support of this resolution expressing support for the goals 
and the ideals of the National School Lunch Program and for the 
children that it serves. I ask for my colleagues' support.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, I urge strong support 
for the resolution. It is a timely measure because, as the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania knows, today the Education and Labor Committee is 
holding

[[Page H997]]

a hearing on reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act. The School Lunch 
Program is really at the center of that effort. Again, I urge support 
of the resolution.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, the National School Lunch Program, as 
established by the National School Lunch Act, has been serving our 
nation's children for more than 60 years. This program safeguards the 
health and well-being of children by providing balanced meals for free 
or at low cost. Just last year, the Program provided more than 31 
million nutritious meals to children across the nation. My bill, House 
Resolution 362 recognizes the outstanding service of the National 
School Lunch Program.
  Hunger is on the rise in the United States. A 2007 USDA report found 
that 12.4 million children live in households that are considered to be 
food insecure. In my state, California, the unemployment rate exceeds 
12% and is on the rise. More families will be struggling to put 
nutritious meals on the table. The National School Lunch Program 
performs an exemplary service in providing for the children of these 
families. With H. Res. 362, Congress can send a strong message to 
schools showing our continued support and give local programs the 
initiative to improve and advance.
  By providing school lunches, Congress plays a vital role in ensuring 
that our nation's children are healthy, which is more important now 
than ever. Both obesity and malnutrition are on the rise, increasing 
the rates of Type 2 diabetes and heart problems among children. The 
current generation of children and their parents are accustomed to 
processed, fast food; a fast stop for a hamburger and fries or a quick 
fix meal from a box. Though these meals may be cheap and easy, they 
often lack the proper nutrition a developing child requires.

  Over the past few years, schools have made a conscious effort to 
ensure that children receive balanced and nutritious meals. For many 
children, their school lunch may be the most nutritious meal they will 
eat each day. Simply by including fresh fruits and vegetables in their 
diets daily encourages children to make healthy choices. The Program is 
a tool that can help educate children about eating well even when they 
are at home.
  Providing meals in school also increases a child's ability to learn 
effectively. Children who experience hunger in school have been shown 
to have lower math scores, decreased attentiveness, increased 
likelihood of repeating a grade, increased absences and tardiness, and 
more referrals to special education services. Simply by providing 
nutritious meals, Congress can improve student performance in school.
  Supporting the National School Lunch Program brings to life its 
mission ``to safeguard the health and well being of our nation's 
children.'' This is one crucial way in which we can protect the health 
of children nationwide. I hope you will all join me in supporting the 
National School Lunch Program, H. Res. 362.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 362, 
a resolution expressing the support of the House of Representatives for 
the goals and ideals of the National School Lunch Program. The National 
School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in 
public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care 
institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free 
lunches to children each school day. I support this resolution because 
it recognizes the fundamental role the National School Lunch Program 
plays in making sure that every child, regardless of socioeconomic 
status, has the energy and nutrients he or she needs to learn and grow 
as scholars.
  The National School Lunch Program has been providing for children in 
our public schools for over sixty years. It was established under the 
National School Lunch Act signed by President Harry Truman in 1946. In 
2008, the National School Lunch Program provided meals for more than 30 
million American children. Parents who work two and three jobs just to 
put a roof over their children's heads do not have to worry that their 
children will not have lunch when they get to school every day. In 
1998, Congress expanded this program to include reimbursement for 
snacks that children receive at afterschool programs. Children receive 
nutritious snacks so they have the energy and ability to focus during 
valuable tutoring sessions and enriching extra-curricular lessons.
  Mr. Speaker, during these difficult economic times, the National 
School Lunch Program is even more important than usual. In September 
2009, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released an analysis 
of how the recession had affected working families thus far. According 
to that report, the median household income declined 3.6 percent in 
2008 after adjusting for inflation, the largest single-year decline on 
record. The poverty rate rose to 13.2 percent, its highest level since 
1997. The number of people in poverty hit 39.8 million, the highest 
level since 1960. While Congress works to turn this recession around by 
passing landmark legislation like the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act and the Jobs for Main Street Act, programs such as the 
National School Lunch Program give working parents the peace of mind 
that comes with knowing that their children are taken care of. If a 
parent loses his job and his family falls into poverty, he does not 
have to worry that his children will have nutritious lunches and snacks 
provided every day at school. That is one less thing for hard-working 
families to worry about in these tough times.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the National School Lunch Program for its 
dedication feeding our most valuable population in this country--our 
children. Without nutritious food, low-income children would have 
extreme difficulties focusing in school and therefore would be at a 
great disadvantage academically. The National School Lunch Program does 
its part to ensure that all children have the energy they need to learn 
and succeed every day in school. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me 
in supporting H. Res. 362.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the 
actions of the House of Representatives in addressing the need for 
America's students to receive high-quality, safe, nutritious meals in 
school. I strongly support H. Res. 362 and urge my colleagues to 
support this important piece of legislation.
  Many of our children depend on the National School Lunch Program for 
nutritious meals. In Fiscal Year 2007, more than 30.5 million children 
each day got their lunch through the National School Lunch Program. In 
my home state of Georgia, about 74 percent of public school students 
eat school lunch. In some counties, in the Fourth District of Georgia, 
up to 90 percent of students participate in the school lunch program. 
For many of the children in my District, school lunch fuels their day.
  I applaud Representative Watson for introducing this resolution. It 
recognizes the link between proper eating, goad health, and educational 
performance. We should do all we can to ensure that our children 
continue to have nutritious meal options available through the National 
School Lunch Program.
  I join the chairman in urging my colleagues to support this important 
piece of legislation.
  Mr. COURTNEY. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Wu). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 362, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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