For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 10, 2003
National School Lunch Week, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
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 nutri-tious 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.
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.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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