[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 42 (Monday, October 21, 2002)]
[Pages 1751-1752]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7609--National School Lunch Week, 2002

October 11, 2002

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The future success of our Nation depends on our children's healthy 
development. Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has 
made important contributions to the well-being of our school children. 
As part of the NSLP, more than 96,000 schools and residential childcare 
institutions serve more than 27 million children each day. In addition 
to providing young people with nutritious meals, this program supports 
the academic mission of our schools and helps to ensure

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that all our Nation's children reach their full potential.
    To avoid the formation of poor eating habits, which are generally 
established during childhood, we must encourage positive choices that 
fulfill dietary recommendations. It is critical that our children eat 
sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables, reduce fat in their diets, 
and consume essential nutrients in an overall diet with appropriate 
calories. By making modest improvements to their diets and increasing 
physical activities, children can dramatically improve their overall 
health.
    To help meet this goal, the Department of Agriculture launched the 
School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children. This plan empowers schools 
to serve ``kid-friendly'' meals that meet the recommendations defined in 
the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid. Through 
Team Nutrition, a comprehensive, behavior-based plan, the USDA assists 
schools by supporting food service personnel with important training. 
New recipes are now created by teams of dietitians and chefs, and then 
taste-tested by children. As a result, more children are enjoying 
lunches that are lower in fat, saturated fat, and sodium.
    To motivate children to make sound choices, Team Nutrition also 
educates them about the benefits of healthy eating. State and local 
governments are supplementing these programs through innovative 
partnerships with educators, school administrators, community 
organizations, the food industry, and others. Through these cooperative 
efforts we are addressing solutions to health problems, such as the 
increasing incidence of childhood obesity, and we are enhancing access 
to nutrition programs for needy children.
    During National School Lunch Week, we recognize the hard work and 
dedication of the thousands of food service professionals who plan and 
prepare meals, and provide vital nutritional education to our young 
people.
    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), as amended, has designated the week beginning on the second 
Sunday in October of each year as ``National School Lunch Week'' and has 
requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this 
week.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim October 13 through October 19, 2002, as 
National School Lunch Week. I call upon all Americans to join the 
dedicated individuals who administer the National School Lunch Program 
at the State and local levels in appropriate activities and celebrations 
that promote all programs that support the health and well-being of our 
Nation's children.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of 
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 16, 
2002]

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