[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
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

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should foster an environment where young people acquire the knowledge
and skills needed to make smart choices about what they eat, and healthy
school 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.
BARACK OBAMA