[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7831 of October 12, 2004


 
National School Lunch Week, 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.
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

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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

PROCLAMATION 7832--OCT. 15, 2004