[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 42 (Monday, October 19, 1998)]
[Pages 2027-2028]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7137--National School Lunch Week, 1998

October 9, 1998

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    When the National School Lunch Program was established by President 
Truman in 1946, it built upon decades of local commitment by parents, 
educators, and community leaders who recognized a simple but important 
fact: hungry children can't learn. Today, for millions of students, the 
National School Lunch Program provides nutritious meals that serve as a 
vital foundation for learning and growing. Many of these children 
receive their only nutritious meal of the day at school. Thanks to this 
practical and effective program, children and adolescents in school 
cafeterias across our country not only have the opportunity to enjoy a 
wholesome and balanced meal each day, but they also begin to understand 
the importance of making healthy eating choices.
    Unfortunately, the eating habits of America's children and 
adolescents often fall short. Parents, educators, school administrators, 
food service professionals, and community leaders must work in 
partnership to ensure that our youth learn the importance of good 
nutrition to overall good health. Learning about nutrition in school and 
having the daily opportunity to eat a well-balanced meal can help 
children develop the eating habits necessary to excel in the classroom 
and in life.
    In recognition of the contributions of the National School Lunch 
Program to the health, education, and well-being of our Nation's 
children, the Congress, by joint resolution of October 9, 1962 (Public 
Law 87-780), has designated the week beginning on the second Sunday in 
October of each year as

[[Page 2028]]

``National School Lunch Week'' and has requested the President to issue 
a proclamation in observance of this week.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton,  President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim October 11 through October 17, 
1998, as National School Lunch Week. I call upon all Americans to join 
the dedicated individuals who lead child nutrition programs at the State 
and local levels in appropriate activities and celebrations that promote 
these programs.
    In Witness Whereof,  I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-eight, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-third.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:43 a.m., October 13, 
1998]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
14. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.