[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 202 (Friday, October 18, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62335-62336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24524]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

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[[Page 62335]]


                Proclamation 9040 of October 11, 2013

                
National School Lunch Week, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In 1946, when American communities bore the weight of 
                endemic malnutrition, and parents struggled to provide 
                their children with decent meals for the long school 
                day, President Harry Truman signed the National School 
                Lunch Act. The law is based on a simple conviction--
                that in the most powerful Nation on earth, no child 
                should go hungry. And today, with more than 32 million 
                children participating in the National School Lunch 
                Program, strong nutrition at school remains as 
                important as ever. During National School Lunch Week, 
                we recommit to the basic promise that every American 
                child should have a chance to succeed, and we recognize 
                the role nutrition plays in giving our children the 
                opportunity to reach for their dreams.

                My Administration is working to fulfill our essential 
                commitment to America's sons and daughters. For too 
                many of our children, food served at school may be 
                their only regular meals, providing the sustenance they 
                need to focus and excel. With the Healthy, Hunger-Free 
                Kids Act, we expanded access to school meals while 
                taking action to combat childhood obesity. Obesity now 
                affects 17 percent of all children and adolescents in 
                the United States--triple the rate from just one 
                generation ago--and that means more of our children are 
                at risk for preventable health problems including 
                diabetes and heart disease. We updated nutritional 
                standards for school meals, balancing calories and 
                limiting fat and sodium while increasing servings of 
                fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. First Lady 
                Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative works with 
                elected officials, parents, schools, and communities to 
                help young people and their parents access healthy 
                foods and make healthy choices, empowering students to 
                be engaged in the classroom and active throughout their 
                lives.

                As he signed the National School Lunch Act into law, 
                President Truman reminded us that ``In the long view, 
                no nation is any healthier than its children.'' This 
                week, as we look to a healthy future, we give our 
                thanks to the food program administrators, educators, 
                parents, and communities who are doing their part to 
                get us there.

                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 13 through October 19, 2013, 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 62336]]

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

[FR Doc. 2013-24524
Filed 10-17-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F4