[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 59513-59514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26329]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 200 / Thursday, October 16, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 59513]]

                Proclamation 7719 of October 10, 2003

                
National School Lunch Week, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over the last 57 years, the National School Lunch 
                Program has provided more than 187 billion meals to 
                young people across our country. During National School 
                Lunch Week, we recognize the importance that good 
                nutrition plays in the health of our children and in 
                the development of good eating habits and healthy 
                lifestyles.

                By helping our children make healthy choices not only 
                about food but also about their overall well-being, we 
                can reduce the rates of childhood obesity and diabetes 
                and help prevent heart disease, stroke, and other 
                diseases later in life. Nutritious meals can also 
                improve students' concentration and help them succeed 
                in school.

                As part of the National School Lunch Program, the 
                Department of Agriculture's Team Nutrition advises 
                school food service professionals on how to prepare 
                healthy meals for children. Team Nutrition also 
                provides nutrition programs for children, families, and 
                communities to illustrate the link between diet and 
                health. Today, more than 99,000 schools and childcare 
                centers are educating young people about good eating 
                habits. They are also helping to feed our Nation's 
                needy children through the National School Lunch 
                Program. For many students, low-cost or free school 
                meals are sometimes the only nutritious food they eat. 
                Over the years, the dedication of school officials, 
                food service professionals, parents, and community 
                leaders has helped to expand the National School Lunch 
                Program to include breakfast, after-school snacks, milk 
                breaks, and summer food programs.

                In recognition of the contributions of the National 
                School Lunch Program to the health, education, and 
                well-being of America'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 12 
                through October 18, 2003, 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 and local levels in appropriate 
                activities to promote programs that support the health 
                and well-being of our Nation's children.

[[Page 59514]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-26329
Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P