Supporting National School Lunch Program

Floor Speech

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Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 362, a resolution expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of the National School Lunch Program. The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. I support this resolution because it recognizes the fundamental role the National School Lunch Program plays in making sure that every child, regardless of socioeconomic status, has the energy and nutrients he or she needs to learn and grow as scholars.

The National School Lunch Program has been providing for children in our public schools for over sixty years. It was established under the National School Lunch Act signed by President Harry Truman in 1946. In 2008, the National School Lunch Program provided meals for more than 30 million American children. Parents who work two and three jobs just to put a roof over their children's heads do not have to worry that their children will not have lunch when they get to school every day. In 1998, Congress expanded this program to include reimbursement for snacks that children receive at afterschool programs. Children receive nutritious snacks so they have the energy and ability to focus during valuable tutoring sessions and enriching extra-curricular lessons.

Mr. Speaker, during these difficult economic times, the National School Lunch Program is even more important than usual. In September 2009, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released an analysis of how the recession had affected working families thus far. According to that report, the median household income declined 3.6 percent in 2008 after adjusting for inflation, the largest single-year decline on record. The poverty rate rose to 13.2 percent, its highest level since 1997. The number of people in poverty hit 39.8 million, the highest level since 1960. While Congress works to turn this recession around by passing landmark legislation like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Jobs for Main Street Act, programs such as the National School Lunch Program give working parents the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their children are taken care of. If a parent loses his job and his family falls into poverty, he does not have to worry that his children will have nutritious lunches and snacks provided every day at school. That is one less thing for hard-working families to worry about in these tough times.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the National School Lunch Program for its dedication feeding our most valuable population in this country--our children. Without nutritious food, low-income children would have extreme difficulties focusing in school and therefore would be at a great disadvantage academically. The National School Lunch Program does its part to ensure that all children have the energy they need to learn and succeed every day in school. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 362.

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