[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HEALTHY, HUNGER-FREE KIDS ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2010

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3307, the 
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. I applaud Chairman Miller for 
his efforts on this legislation, and commend Speaker Pelosi and Leader 
Hoyer for bringing this legislation to the floor. I also commend First 
Lady Michelle Obama for her leadership on this initiative.
  The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 expands access to school 
meal programs to thousands of children across the country. In addition 
to reauthorizing all expiring authorities and programs in the Richard 
B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act, it 
will also assist all 50 states in providing meals for at-risk youth 
after school.
  This bill contains several innovations in food delivery and safety 
for young people at school. Importantly, S. 3307 will increase funding 
for school lunches, increase access to free school meals, improve 
school meal nutrition standards, expand food service for summer and 
outside-of-school programs, implement food safety requirements for food 
served on school campuses, help innovate the WIC program, introduce new 
nutrition and healthy living standards, and fund state and local 
initiatives to eliminate childhood hunger.
  Each day, millions of our young people go hungry, or consume food 
that is detrimental to their bodies and their minds. For many children, 
the meals they receive at school may be the only balanced, nutritious 
meal they have all day. A healthy diet is absolutely essential to a 
healthy life. Through health care reform, we have already taken steps 
to cultivate a culture of preventive care; this is another part of our 
effort to ensure that our children can realize their full potential.
  The First Lady's Let's Move initiative has also played an important 
role in spotlighting the steps that can improve our children's health, 
including the vital role that exercise plays in a healthful lifestyle. 
It is now our job in Congress to continue to support the important work 
done through this campaign by supporting this legislation.
  I am proud to support this legislation, because I know what a 
profound effect this will have on many children's lives.
   However, while I do strongly support the legislation that is in 
front of us today, I am concerned with cuts to the Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program that are on the horizon. We are taking 
steps now that will make our young people happier, healthier, and more 
productive individuals, but we must not forget that the SNAP program 
benefits many of the same children--and their families--that we are 
trying to help today. For that reason, it must be our priority to fully 
fund the SNAP program in the coming years.
   That said, I am eager to see S. 3307 passed, and I am confident that 
this is indeed landmark legislation that will ensure our children can 
be all that God meant them to be--and I urge its adoption.

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