Sense Of House Regarding National School Breakfast Program

Floor Speech

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 210, expressing the sense of the House that providing breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive impact on classroom performance.

Created as a pilot program in 1966 and made permanent in 1975, the National School Breakfast Program helps schools serve breakfast to ``nutritionally needy'' children. The program focuses on those schools where assistance is needed to provide adequate nutrition for students. In fiscal year 2007, over 10.1 million children participated in the school breakfast program each day. Of those, 8.1 million received their meals for free or at a reduced price. Participation has steadily grown over the years from only half a million children in 1970.

The School Breakfast Program is administered in nearly 84,000 schools and institutions by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service through State education agencies, in agreements with local school food authorities.

Public or nonprofit private schools serving grades K-12 and public or nonprofit private residential child care institutions may participate in the school breakfast program. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the breakfast program receive cash subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve breakfasts that meet Federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced-price breakfasts to eligible children.

Last week schools throughout the country celebrated National School Breakfast Week. During the week, school cafeterias nationwide encouraged students to begin their day with a healthful, nutritious school breakfast.

While many States that have implemented school breakfast programs have seen encouraging outcomes, the problem of childhood hunger persists. The Federal child nutrition programs are helping to end childhood hunger and promote nutrition and wellness, especially in terms of assisting those most in need of beneficial nutrition.

I stand in support of this resolution recognizing the importance of the National School Breakfast Program and the positive impact a nutritious breakfast can have on a child's ability to learn, grow, and develop to their fullest potential.

I ask for my colleagues' support.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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