[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 42 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Page 1371]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7719--National School Lunch Week, 2003

October 10, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Over the last 57 years, the National School Lunch Program has 
provided more than 187 billion meals to young people across our country. 
During National School Lunch Week, we recognize the importance that good 
nutrition plays in the health of our children and in the development of 
good eating habits and healthy lifestyles.
    By helping our children make healthy choices not only about food but 
also about their overall well-being, we can reduce the rates of 
childhood obesity and diabetes and help prevent heart disease, stroke, 
and other diseases later in life. Nutritious meals can also improve 
students' concentration and help them succeed in school.
    As part of the National School Lunch Program, the Department of 
Agriculture's Team Nutrition advises school food service professionals 
on how to prepare healthy meals for children. Team Nutrition also 
provides nutrition programs for children, families, and communities to 
illustrate the link between diet and health. Today, more than 99,000 
schools and childcare centers are educating young people about good 
eating habits. They are also helping to feed our Nation's needy children 
through the National School Lunch Program. For many students, low-cost 
or free school meals are sometimes the only nutritious food they eat. 
Over the years, the dedication of school officials, food service 
professionals, parents, and community leaders has helped to expand the 
National School Lunch Program to include breakfast, after-school snacks, 
milk breaks, and summer food programs.
    In recognition of the contributions of the National School Lunch 
Program to the health, education, and well-being of America'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 12 through October 18, 2003, 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 to promote 
programs that support the health and well-being of our Nation's 
children.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 15, 
2003]

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