[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 42 (Monday, October 18, 2004)]
[Pages 2363-2364]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7831--National School Lunch Week, 2004

 October 12, 2004

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The National School Lunch Program has provided healthy, affordable 
lunches to our Nation's children for almost 60 years. The program now 
serves more than 28 million children each day, many of whom might not 
otherwise eat nutritious lunches. During National School Lunch Week, we 
recognize the program's contributions to the health, well-being, and 
education of our Nation's youth.
    In addition to providing the good nutrition that helps young people 
succeed in school, healthy school lunches and after-school snacks can 
help alleviate childhood obesity and lower children's risk of developing 
health problems. The National School Lunch Program also shares 
information about healthy eating habits with children, families, and 
communities; works to provide our children with the best possible school 
meals; and offers technical training and assistance to school food-
service staff. To support this program and other important child 
nutrition programs, earlier this year I signed into law the Child 
Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This bill expands access 
to programs for children of Armed Services personnel, promotes healthy 
food choices, and makes it easier for parents to enroll their eligible 
children.

[[Page 2364]]

    The National School Lunch Program has accomplished a great deal in 
providing children with nutritious meals, and we must continue working 
to ensure that every child is well-nourished, healthy, and active. While 
children who participate in the school lunch program consume more 
fruits, vegetables, milk, and protein than students who obtain lunch 
elsewhere, over 60 percent of our Nation's young people still eat more 
than the daily recommended serving of fat, and less than 20 percent eat 
the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. To promote the 
right choices, the Department of Agriculture's HealthierUS School 
Challenge is encouraging schools and local communities to create an 
environment that supports healthy lifestyles for our Nation's children.
    The success of the National School Lunch Program stems from the 
hard-working Americans who plan, prepare, and serve meals to millions of 
children every day. 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 of 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 10 through October 16, 2004, 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 twelfth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:22 a.m., October 13, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
14.