[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63071-63072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26584]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 201 / Monday, October 19, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 63071]]

                Proclamation 9345 of October 9, 2015

                
National School Lunch Week, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's schools strive to empower students with the 
                tools and learning opportunities they need to pursue a 
                tomorrow of endless possibility. In addition to serving 
                as critical foundations for an education, schools are 
                often the only stable source of health and nutrition 
                for many of our children. The National School Lunch 
                Program does more than simply provide students with one 
                of our most basic human needs--it gives them the 
                strength to focus on reaching for their greatest 
                aspirations, rather than worrying about where their 
                next meal will come from. During National School Lunch 
                Week, we rededicate ourselves to safeguarding our 
                Nation's future by providing our children with the 
                support and nourishment they need to maintain healthy 
                lifestyles, and we thank the school administrators, 
                educators, and cafeteria workers who, alongside devoted 
                parents, caregivers, and guardians, work together to 
                achieve this goal.

                By signing the National School Lunch Act in 1946, 
                President Harry Truman recognized the tremendous role 
                food security plays in the academic and overall success 
                of America's youth. This groundbreaking legislation 
                created the National School Lunch Program, which 
                provides lunches--either subsidized or at no cost--to 
                millions of students in over 100,000 schools. At the 
                heart of this program lies a commitment to uphold one 
                of our country's core principles: that all children 
                should have the chance to live up to their fullest 
                potential and be bound by nothing more than the scope 
                of their dreams.

                One in three children in our Nation is overweight or 
                obese--and those rates are even higher in African-
                American, Hispanic, and Native American communities. 
                Those who lack proper nutrition or do not lead an 
                active lifestyle are far less likely to perform well in 
                school and are more likely to experience health 
                problems such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, and 
                diabetes in the future. For many young people across 
                America, particularly those from low-income 
                communities, the meals their school provides are their 
                most consistent source of food and nutrition.

                My Administration remains committed to inspiring 
                students to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. First 
                Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative has 
                encouraged schools to provide nutritious food and help 
                students make educated decisions about the food they 
                eat each day. Because of these efforts, thousands of 
                schools across America have answered the HealthierUS 
                School Challenge with commonsense standards for the 
                health, physical activity, and nutritional awareness of 
                our country's students. And since I signed the Healthy, 
                Hunger-Free Kids Act into law in 2010, we have ensured 
                healthy meals are available for millions of students--
                even after classes have finished for the year. By 
                working to encourage students to eat right and make 
                healthy choices today, we can help ensure these 
                positive habits continue throughout their lives.

                Despite the progress we have made, more must be done to 
                safeguard a bright and healthy future for our children 
                and our Nation. Schools should foster an environment 
                where young people acquire the knowledge and skills 
                needed to make smart choices about what they eat, and 
                healthy school

[[Page 63072]]

                meals should give children the fuel to work hard, grow, 
                and succeed. During National School Lunch Week, I 
                encourage everyone--students, educators, and parents 
                alike--to add more greens to their plates and increase 
                the amount of physical activity in their daily 
                routines. Even small steps, like going for a walk or 
                choosing fruits and vegetables over salty snacks and 
                sweets, help set a positive example and instill the 
                healthy habits our Nation's children need. Together--as 
                families, neighbors, and friends--we can turn these 
                small steps into national action and make a 
                transformative impact.

                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 October 11 
                through October 17, 2015, 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 
                ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-26584
Filed 10-16-15; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P