[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 15, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
June as National Dairy Month.
  National Dairy Month began as National Milk Month in 1937. Now it has 
developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions 
the dairy industry has made to the world.
  Milk contains nine essential nutrients which may help reduce your 
risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and certain cancers; yet 
dairy products, particularly milk, continue to be unfairly demonized.
  Coming from a long line of dairy farmers, I understand the impact 
that this decrease in milk consumption has caused. Not only does it 
hurt our dairy industry, but it has also resulted in the loss of an 
entire generation of milk drinkers, which has negatively impacted their 
health.
  That is why I introduced the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act in March 
of this year with the gentleman from New York, Mr. Antonio Delgado. 
This bill addresses the importance of providing both flavored and 
unflavored whole milk in school cafeterias.
  This builds upon the efforts from the School Milk Nutrition Act, 
which allows for flavored and unflavored 1 percent milk to return as an 
option for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
  Last month, Mr.   Joe Courtney and I led a bipartisan coalition of 55 
Members of Congress from across the country in writing a letter to 
Secretary Vilsack of the USDA. This letter urged him to codify the 
efforts to continue to provide schools the option to offer low-fat 
flavored or unflavored milk.
  Whether it is protein to help build and repair the muscle tissues of 
active bodies or vitamin A to help maintain healthy skin, dairy 
products are a natural nutrient powerhouse.
  That is why, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sign on to my bill, 
the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act, during National Dairy Month and 
allow our students the option of consuming the type of milk that they 
love.
  And this month, when you pour a glass of milk, enjoy a cheese board, 
or cool down with some ice cream, remember the hardworking dairy 
farmers and farm families who made that possible.

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