[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 201 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 64029-64030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26629]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 201 / Thursday, October 17, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 64029]]


                Proclamation 7609 of October 11, 2002

                
National School Lunch Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The future success of our Nation depends on our 
                children's healthy development. Since 1946, the 
                National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has made important 
                contributions to the well-being of our school children. 
                As part of the NSLP, more than 96,000 schools and 
                residential childcare institutions serve more than 27 
                million children each day. In addition to providing 
                young people with nutritious meals, this program 
                supports the academic mission of our schools and helps 
                to ensure that all our Nation's children reach their 
                full potential.

                To avoid the formation of poor eating habits, which are 
                generally established during childhood, we must 
                encourage positive choices that fulfill dietary 
                recommendations. It is critical that our children eat 
                sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables, reduce fat 
                in their diets, and consume essential nutrients in an 
                overall diet with appropriate calories. By making 
                modest improvements to their diets and increasing 
                physical activities, children can dramatically improve 
                their overall health.

                To help meet this goal, the Department of Agriculture 
                launched the School Meals Initiative for Healthy 
                Children. This plan empowers schools to serve ``kid-
                friendly'' meals that meet the recommendations defined 
                in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food 
                Guide Pyramid. Through Team Nutrition, a comprehensive, 
                behavior-based plan, the USDA assists schools by 
                supporting food service personnel with important 
                training. New recipes are now created by teams of 
                dietitians and chefs, and then taste-tested by 
                children. As a result, more children are enjoying 
                lunches that are lower in fat, saturated fat, and 
                sodium.

                To motivate children to make sound choices, Team 
                Nutrition also educates them about the benefits of 
                healthy eating. State and local governments are 
                supplementing these programs through innovative 
                partnerships with educators, school administrators, 
                community organizations, the food industry, and others. 
                Through these cooperative efforts we are addressing 
                solutions to health problems, such as the increasing 
                incidence of childhood obesity, and we are enhancing 
                access to nutrition programs for needy children.

                During National School Lunch Week, we recognize the 
                hard work and dedication of the thousands of food 
                service professionals who plan and prepare meals, and 
                provide vital nutritional education to our young 
                people.

                In recognition of the contributions of the National 
                School Lunch Program to the health, education, and 
                well-being of our Nation's children, the Congress, by 
                joint resolution of October 9, 1962 (Public Law 87-
                780), as amended, has designated the week beginning on 
                the second Sunday in October of each year as ``National 
                School Lunch Week'' and has requested the President to 
                issue a proclamation in observance of this week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 13 
                through October 19, 2002, as National School Lunch 
                Week. I call upon all Americans to join the dedicated 
                individuals who administer the National School Lunch 
                Program at the State

[[Page 64030]]

                and local levels in appropriate activities and 
                celebrations that promote all programs that support the 
                health and well-being of our Nation's children.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-26629
Filed 10-16-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P