Presidential Documents

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Title 3--
The President

[[Page 59513]]

Proclamation 7719 of October 10, 2003

National School Lunch Week, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Over the last 57 years, the National School Lunch
Program has provided more than 187 billion meals to
young people across our country. During National School
Lunch Week, we recognize the importance that good
nutrition plays in the health of our children and in
the development of good eating habits and healthy
lifestyles.

By helping our children make healthy choices not only
about food but also about their overall well-being, we
can reduce the rates of childhood obesity and diabetes
and help prevent heart disease, stroke, and other
diseases later in life. Nutritious meals can also
improve students' concentration and help them succeed
in school.

As part of the National School Lunch Program, the
Department of Agriculture's Team Nutrition advises
school food service professionals on how to prepare
healthy meals for children. Team Nutrition also
provides nutrition programs for children, families, and
communities to illustrate the link between diet and
health. Today, more than 99,000 schools and childcare
centers are educating young people about good eating
habits. They are also helping to feed our Nation's
needy children through the National School Lunch
Program. For many students, low-cost or free school
meals are sometimes the only nutritious food they eat.
Over the years, the dedication of school officials,
food service professionals, parents, and community
leaders has helped to expand the National School Lunch
Program to include breakfast, after-school snacks, milk
breaks, and summer food programs.

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 in 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 12
through October 18, 2003, as National School Lunch
Week. I call upon all Americans to join the dedicated
individuals who administer the National School Lunch
Program at the State and local levels in appropriate
activities to promote programs that support the health
and well-being of our Nation's children.

[[Page 59514]]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

(Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-26329
Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195-01-P

So, what, kids only get to eat lunch for a week? Or we conveniently forget about school lunches for the rest of the year.