[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 198 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63805-63806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26724]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 198 / Thursday, October 13, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 63805]]


                Proclamation 8733 of October 7, 2011

                
National School Lunch Week, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Children are America's greatest treasure, and ensuring 
                their health is one of our most important duties as 
                parents, families, and community members. Our 
                children's continued ability to learn in the classroom, 
                grow up healthy, and reach their full potential will 
                depend on what we do now to secure their future. The 
                National School Lunch Program has been a central part 
                of our Nation's commitment to healthy children since 
                its inception in 1946, improving the nutrition of 
                generations of children with affordable, nutritious 
                meals at school. It now serves tens of millions of 
                children every day.

                Despite our successes, too many American children go 
                without proper nutrition. One-third of children in our 
                country are overweight or obese, and without a major 
                change, one-third of children born in the year 2000 
                will develop Type 2 diabetes during their lifetime. 
                Schools are central to improving child health, as 
                children who eat both school breakfast and lunch may 
                consume more than half their daily calories at school.

                The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 has brought 
                historic reform to school meal programs. The law takes 
                new steps to address childhood obesity by setting 
                nutritional standards for foods sold in schools, 
                updating requirements for school wellness policies, and 
                providing more nutritional information to parents. It 
                also works to eliminate hunger during the school day by 
                increasing the number of eligible children enrolled in 
                school meal programs and removing barriers to school 
                meals for children most in need.

                First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative has 
                worked with schools nationwide to create healthy 
                opportunities for children. This year, we exceeded our 
                goal of doubling the number of schools that meet the 
                HealthierUS School Challenge. We have also engaged 
                child care providers in adopting healthier practices, 
                and this year 1.7 million Americans achieved the 
                Presidential Active Lifestyle Award.

                To advance our goals even further, Let's Move! has 
                collaborated with individuals and organizations across 
                our Nation to bring over 800 salad bars to schools, 
                providing thousands of children with greater access to 
                fruits and vegetables. School nutrition professionals, 
                chefs, students, parents, and communities have also 
                used their talents to develop nutritious foods for 
                schools through the Recipes for Healthy Kids 
                competition and the Chefs Move to Schools initiative.

                Good nutrition at school is an investment in our 
                children's futures. During National School Lunch Week, 
                we thank the food program administrators, educators, 
                parents, and communities who provide for our Nation's 
                sons and daughters, and we recommit to ensuring all our 
                children have the healthy food they need to grow and 
                succeed.

                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.

[[Page 63806]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week 
                of October 9 through October 15, 2011, 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.

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

[FR Doc. 2011-26724
Filed 10-12-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P