[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 199 (Friday, October 16, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53145-53146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25080]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 199 / Friday, October 16, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 53145]]

                Proclamation 8436 of October 9, 2009

                
National School Lunch Week, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every young American deserves access to a wholesome, 
                nutritious lunch. These meals prevent hunger and give 
                our children the energy and nourishment they need to 
                grow into healthy, productive adults. Since 1946, the 
                National School Lunch Program has helped to protect the 
                health and well-being of our children by providing them 
                with balanced, low-cost or free lunches throughout the 
                school year. This week, we renew our commitment to 
                serving healthy meals that will prepare our next 
                generation of leaders to learn and thrive.

                The National School Lunch Program serves more than 31 
                million students every school day at over 100,000 
                schools across our Nation. These meals can be an 
                important source of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat 
                dairy products, containing essential nutrients to meet 
                the demands of a growing child. For many 
                schoolchildren, it will be their most nutritious meal--
                sometimes their only meal--of the day. This program can 
                also teach children about the importance of good eating 
                habits, which is vital to our Nation's fight against 
                childhood obesity. In the coming months, my 
                Administration will continue our partnership with 
                Federal, State, and local leaders to strengthen the 
                National School Lunch Program. We must work together to 
                remove barriers that prevent some eligible children 
                from receiving meals, and update nutrition standards to 
                reflect the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

                Academic success requires hard work and concentration. 
                Students distracted by hunger cannot match the focus of 
                their peers. Poorly nourished students are also more 
                likely to become ill, and miss class more frequently. 
                During National School Lunch Week, we honor all those 
                who make the National School Lunch Program possible, 
                including government and school officials, food service 
                professionals, farmers, and parents. By ensuring that 
                every child, regardless of background or family income, 
                is properly fed at school, we secure a brighter future 
                for each of them and for America.

                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 each 
                year as ``National School Lunch Week,'' and has 
                requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
                observance of this week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week 
                of October 11 through October 17, 2009, as National 
                School Lunch Week. I call upon all Americans to join 
                the dedicated individuals who administer the National 
                School Lunch Program in appropriate activities that 
                support the health and well-being of our Nation's 
                children.

[[Page 53146]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-25080
Filed 10-15-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P