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Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act

Date: March 24, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Minors and Children Health and Health Care


CHILD NUTRITION IMPROVEMENT AND INTEGRITY ACT -- (House of Representatives - March 24, 2004)

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3873) to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to provide children with access to food and nutrition assistance, to simplify program operations, to improve children's nutritional health, and to restore the integrity of child nutrition programs, and for other purposes, as amended.

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3873, the Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act.

I would like to compliment the chairman and ranking member of the committee. They have brought a good bill to this House, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it.

Among its many important provisions, this legislation will promote the consumption of milk in our Nation's schools. I, along with a few other colleagues, introduced H.R. 3250, a bipartisan bill to promote school milk. The Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act before us includes several provisions of H.R. 3250, and I appreciate the committee's efforts.

Under the child nutrition bill before us, milk will continue to be offered with every school meal. Schools will be able to offer a variety of fat levels. Schools will also be encouraged to offer a variety of flavors, as well as lactose-free milk for children who may be lactose intolerant, and regardless of any so-called exclusive sales contracts, schools will be able to sell milk anytime, anywhere on school property or at school events.

This bill is a fair, reasonable compromise on substitutes for milk. Schools will be able to offer substitute beverages at their option where a child has a medical or a special dietary need. Parents will be able to certify their special dietary need. They will not have to obtain a physician's statement.

Mr. Speaker, child nutrition programs are vital to all Americans. Our schools, our WIC clinics need the support of everyone in Congress. This bill renews and strengthens nutrition assistance and education and should pass unanimously. Please vote for this bill.

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