[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 12688-12690]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING IMPORTANCE OF CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM

  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 442) recognizing the importance of the Child 
and Adult Care Food Program and its positive effect on the lives of 
low-income children and families.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 442

       Whereas Child and Adult Care Food Program participants 
     under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
     include sponsoring organizations, child care centers, family 
     day care homes, Head Start programs, at-risk after-school 
     care centers, outside-school hours care centers, emergency 
     shelters, and adult day care centers;
       Whereas 49,624 licensed child care centers with 2,300,000 
     children participated in the Child and Adult Care Food 
     Program in 2008;
       Whereas 141,535 licensed or approved family child care 
     homes with 849,000 children participated in the Child and 
     Adult Care Food Program in 2008;
       Whereas 872 family child care sponsoring organizations 
     participated in the Child and Adult Care Food Program in 
     2008;
       Whereas in 2008, 71 percent of all meals served in child 
     care centers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food 
     Program qualified for reimbursement at the rates established 
     for free or reduced price meals;
       Whereas 78 percent of all meals served in family day care 
     homes participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program 
     qualified for tier I reimbursement factors in 2008;
       Whereas the Child and Adult Care Food Program was cited as 
     one of the important supports for long-term success in 
     building strong family child care for low-income families;
       Whereas 87 percent of the family child care homes 
     considered to be providing good quality child care 
     participated in the Child and Adult Care Food Program;
       Whereas the Child and Adult Care Food Program, due to its 
     unique combination of training and oversight, is an effective 
     vehicle for supporting family child care providers and 
     enhancing the care they provide;
       Whereas the Department of Agriculture's evaluation of the 
     Child and Adult Care Food Program found that children in the 
     Child and Adult Care Food Program received meals that were 
     nutritionally superior to those meals served in child care 
     settings outside of the Child and Adult Care Food Program;
       Whereas studies have shown that young children feel safe 
     and secure, pay attention, behave, and stay healthy, when 
     they are well nourished;
       Whereas research has shown that children who participate in 
     the Child and Adult Care Food Program eat more fruits, 
     vegetables, milk, and have a better overall diet quality;
       Whereas the current economic crisis is causing more 
     families to rely on the Child and Adult Care Food Program as 
     they struggle to feed their children;
       Whereas the Child and Adult Care Food Program contributes 
     to and supports quality child care that provides early 
     education experiences; and
       Whereas participation in the Child and Adult Care Food 
     Program, provides a basis for lifetime healthy eating 
     behaviors: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the importance of the Child and Adult Care 
     Food Program and its overall positive effect on the lives of 
     low-income children and families, as well as its positive 
     effect on improving the quality of a child's child care 
     environment;
       (2) promotes program collaboration and encourages States to 
     better coordinate the use of all Federal and State funding 
     streams across early learning and child development systems 
     and programs, including the Child and Adult Care Food 
     Program;
       (3) recognizes the need to provide adequate resources to 
     improve the availability and quality of nutritious meals and 
     snacks served by Child and Adult Care Food Program 
     facilities;
       (4) recognizes the impact of nonprofit and community 
     organizations that work to increase the awareness of, and 
     access to, the Child and Adult Care Food Program;
       (5) recognizes the need to provide States with resources to 
     improve the availability of nutritious meals in child care;
       (6) recognizes that the Child and Adult Care Food Program 
     provides a higher meal quality and a substantial nutrition 
     contribution to the diets of children in child care; and
       (7) recognizes the Child and Adult Care Food Program can 
     help young children establish healthy eating habits which 
     help to prevent childhood obesity.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 442 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 442, which 
expresses Congress' support for the important work of the Child and 
Adult Care Food Program.
  Participation in nutrition programs sets the foundation for healthy 
lifetime eating behaviors. Studies prove that it is only when young 
children are well nourished that they feel secure, pay attention, 
behave and maintain good health. Through the Child and Adult Care Food 
Program's provisioning of nutritious meals and snacks, millions of 
children are able to experience the positive effects of improved 
nutrition.
  Authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, the 
Child and Adult Care Food Program seeks to improve the quality of child 
care through the support of programs providing early education 
experiences while making such programs more affordable to our low-
income families. As part of their day care program, licensed child care 
centers and child care homes participating in the Child and Adult Care 
Food Program provide 2.9 million nutritious meals and snacks every day 
of operation. These meals and snacks have been found to be 
nutritionally superior to the meals provided by nonparticipating 
providers. In fact, the program that has its children participating in 
it, has them consuming more fruits, vegetables and milk than 
nonparticipants. They even have higher quality diets overall.
  Beyond the services provided to young children in child care, the 
Child and Adult Care Food Program also provides meals for children in 
emergency shelters and those enrolled in eligible after-school care 
programs. Additionally, the program serves 86,000 adults receiving care 
in nonresidential adult day care centers.
  Sponsorship of the child and adult care food program is critical now 
that the economic crisis is making it even harder for families to 
adequately feed their children. All children who qualify should be able 
to experience the positive benefits of the high-quality child care and 
nutritious meals as provided by the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

[[Page 12689]]

  Madam Speaker, once again, I express my support for the Child and 
Adult Care Food Program, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 442, 
recognizing the importance of The Child and Adult Food Care Program and 
its positive effect on the lives of low-income children and families.
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's food and nutrition service 
administers the Child and Adult Care Food Program through grants to 
States.
  The Child and Adult Care Food Program serves nutritious meals and 
snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at 
participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care 
centers. Every day, 2.9 million children receive nutritious meals and 
snacks with the Child and Adult Food Program. The program provides 
meals and snacks to 86,000 adults who receive care in those residential 
adult day care centers.
  The program also provides meals to children residing in emergency 
shelters and snacks and suppers to youth participating in eligible 
after-school care programs.
  Studies have shown that young children pay attention, behave, and 
stay healthy when they are well nourished. The Department of 
Agriculture's evaluation of the Child and Adult Care Food Program found 
that children in the program receive meals that were nutritionally 
superior to those meals served in child care settings outside of the 
program.
  The program plays an important role in improving the quality of day 
care and making it more affordable for many low-income families. I 
stand in support of this resolution and ask for my colleagues to 
support it as well.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, obviously the value of nutrition and 
nutrition programs provides a longtime benefit for all age demographics 
in our population and certainly a lifetime of benefits for our 
children. And I would firmly request that the House stand in full 
support of the resolution before us, H. Res. 442.
  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
442, a resolution recognizing the importance of the Child and Adult 
Care Food Program and its positive effect on the lives of low income 
children and families. I'd like to thank my friend, Representative 
George Miller, for introducing this legislation--and for his commitment 
to ending childhood hunger in America.
  The Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in improving 
the quality of day care for children and elderly adults by making care 
more affordable for many low-income families. Through CACFP, 2.9 
million children and 86,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks 
each day as part of their day care.
  For many years--I have stressed the importance of a healthy diet for 
America's school children. We now have scientific proof that a direct 
connection exists between a nutritious diet and student achievement in 
the classroom.
  As Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on nutrition--I 
fought to include important expansions of fresh fruit and vegetable 
programs for our schools in last year's farm bill. This legislation 
works in conjunction with programs like CACFP to create a healthier 
school environment for America's children.
  Congress has expanded CACFP to support children in a variety of new 
settings including at-risk after-school programs and homeless, domestic 
violence and runaway shelters. In addition, CACFP has been made 
available to adult day care centers serving chronically impaired adults 
or people over age 60.
  In today's terrible economic climate--the benefits of the CACFP 
program are having a greater impact than ever before. The program plays 
a vital role in creating and maintaining quality, affordable care for 
preschool and school-age children. I am proud to support this 
resolution--which gives the CACFP program much deserved Congressional 
recognition. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today support of H. 
Res. 442, ``Recognizing the importance of the Child and Adult Care Food 
Program and its positive effect on the lives of low income children and 
families.'' I would also like to thank my distinguished colleague, 
Representative George Miller of California for introducing this 
important legislation. There are too many in our nation that too often 
go hungry. It is important to extend our support to those domestic 
programs that alleviate suffering in our own nation.
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that in 2007:
  36.2 million people lived in households considered to be food 
insecure.
  Of these 36.2 million, 23.8 million are adults (10.6 percent of all 
adults) and 12.4 million are children (16.9 percent of all children).
  The number of people in the worst-off households increased to 11.9 
from 10.8 in 2005. This increase in the number of people in the worst-
off category is consistent with other studies and the Census Bureau 
poverty data, which show worsening conditions for the poorest 
Americans.
  Black (22.2 percent) and Hispanic (20.1 percent) households 
experienced food insecurity at far higher rates than the national 
average. -
   The ten states with the highest food insecurity rates in 2007 were 
Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Maine, South Carolina, 
Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
  USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in 
improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for 
many low-income families. Each day, 2.9 million children receive 
nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. The program also provides 
meals and snacks to 86,000 adults who receive care in nonresidential 
adult day care centers. CACFP reaches even further to provide meals to 
children residing in emergency shelters, and snacks and suppers to 
youths participating in eligible after school care programs.
  As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, the issues that 
plague the children of our nation are important to me. Children are the 
future of our nation, and it is of vital importance that we raise a 
strong, intelligent generation that will be able to lead our country. 
The Child and Adult Food Care Program ensure that families with 
children receive nutritious meals; meals are a staple in a healthy 
prosperous life that are constantly overlooked and mitigated. 
Nutritious food can make life more enjoyable and prolong life. People 
who eat a more balanced, nutrient dense diet are more likely to be 
physically fit, feel better, and have fewer illnesses as well as lower 
risk of heart disease and diabetes. In this age of epidemic obesity, 
eating a well-balanced diet needs to be of utmost importance for the 
American population, particularly the children.
  Children who are well-nourished feel safe and secure, pay attention, 
behave, and stay healthy. Children who participate in the Child and 
Adult Care Food Program eat more fruits, vegetables, milk, and have a 
better overall diet quality. The CACFP will instill good eating habits 
in children from an early age. Additionally, the CACFP sponsors The 
National School Lunch Program (NSLP) which 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. The 
program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by 
President Harry Truman in 1946.


                                 Texas

  For the second year in a row, the study revealed Texas having the #1 
rate of child hunger at 22.1 percent. Texas is also in the top five 
states with children under five at risk of hunger (23.3 percent). 
Additionally, in Texas, there are 6,644,060 under the age of 18. 
1,470,704 of these children are food insecure. Food insecurity refers 
to the lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all 
times due to lack of financial resources. There are different levels of 
food insecurity.
  According to the results of the Census Bureau survey, those at 
greatest risk of being hungry or on the edge of hunger (i.e., food 
insecure) live in households that are: headed by a single woman; 
Hispanic or Black; or with incomes below the poverty line. Overall, 
households with children experience food insecurity at almost double 
the rate for households without children. Geographically, food 
insecurity is more common in central city households. The survey data 
also show that households are more likely to be hungry or food insecure 
if they live in states in the Midwest and South.
  H. Res. 442 is essential to recognizing the importance of nutrition 
within our national boundaries. The Child and Adult Care Food Program 
has been cited as one of the most important support for long-term 
success in building strong family child care for low-income families 
and has proved an effective vehicle for supporting family child care 
providers.

[[Page 12690]]

During the recent economic crisis, more people have begun to rely on 
the Child and Adult Food Program to feed their families.
  I firmly believe that H. Res. 442 contributes to and support quality 
child care that provides early education experiences and provides a 
basis for lifetime healthy eating behaviors, and I know that these are 
essential to building a strong foundation for our youth and our nation. 
I urge my colleague to support this bill as well as we come together 
and demonstrate our support for nutrition and the children of our 
nation.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield back my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 442.
  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. TONKO. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

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