Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004

CHILD NUTRITION AND WIC REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2004 -- (House of Representatives - June 24, 2004)

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Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Child Nutrition and Women, Infants, and Children reauthorization bill. These vital programs-school lunch and breakfast programs, after-school snack programs, WIC-improve the day-to-day-lives of American families. WIC touches the lives of every 5 people in the United States, including over 37 million children and nearly 2 million lower-income and postpartum women. It guarantees young women and their children receive adequate nutrition and health advice-preventing future illnesses and other health problems.

Our experience with the WIC nutrition program shows that it is a sound and wise long-term investment that pays off by improving the health and development of the women and young children who participate in the program. Each dollar invested in WIC saves more than three dollars in other government spending on programs such as Medicaid. WIC helps young mothers and their children start off on the right foot and saves money at the same time.

As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, I work every year with my colleagues to ensure sufficient funding for the WIC program and to enact measures to streamline and improve the integrity of the program. But while I am largely pleased with the bill the other body produced, it unfortunately did not expand the school lunch program to all children who are in need.

There is no more important measure of our nation's values than how we care for and ensure the health and nutrition of our children-none.

We still have a way to go with respect to the full funding of WIC this year. But I am encouraged by this reauthorization, Mr. Speaker, and will continue to work toward fully funding the program in the coming year.

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