National School Lunch Week, 2015

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 2015)]

[Presidential Documents]

[Pages 63071-63072]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2015-26584]

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 201 / Monday, October 19, 2015 /

Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--

The President

[[Page 63071]]

Proclamation 9345 of October 9, 2015

National School Lunch Week, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's schools strive to empower students with the

tools and learning opportunities they need to pursue a

tomorrow of endless possibility. In addition to serving

as critical foundations for an education, schools are

often the only stable source of health and nutrition

for many of our children. The National School Lunch

Program does more than simply provide students with one

of our most basic human needs--it gives them the

strength to focus on reaching for their greatest

aspirations, rather than worrying about where their

next meal will come from. During National School Lunch

Week, we rededicate ourselves to safeguarding our

Nation's future by providing our children with the

support and nourishment they need to maintain healthy

lifestyles, and we thank the school administrators,

educators, and cafeteria workers who, alongside devoted

parents, caregivers, and guardians, work together to

achieve this goal.

eguarding our

Nation's future by providing our children with the

support and nourishment they need to maintain healthy

lifestyles, and we thank the school administrators,

educators, and cafeteria workers who, alongside devoted

parents, caregivers, and guardians, work together to

achieve this goal.

By signing the National School Lunch Act in 1946,

President Harry Truman recognized the tremendous role

food security plays in the academic and overall success

of America's youth. This groundbreaking legislation

created the National School Lunch Program, which

provides lunches--either subsidized or at no cost--to

millions of students in over 100,000 schools. At the

heart of this program lies a commitment to uphold one

of our country's core principles: that all children

should have the chance to live up to their fullest

potential and be bound by nothing more than the scope

of their dreams.

One in three children in our Nation is overweight or

obese--and those rates are even higher in African-

American, Hispanic, and Native American communities.

Those who lack proper nutrition or do not lead an

active lifestyle are far less likely to perform well in

school and are more likely to experience health

problems such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, and

diabetes in the future. For many young people across

America, particularly those from low-income

communities, the meals their school provides are their

most consistent source of food and nutrition.

school and are more likely to experience health

problems such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, and

diabetes in the future. For many young people across

America, particularly those from low-income

communities, the meals their school provides are their

most consistent source of food and nutrition.

My Administration remains committed to inspiring

students to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. First

Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative has

encouraged schools to provide nutritious food and help

students make educated decisions about the food they

eat each day. Because of these efforts, thousands of

schools across America have answered the HealthierUS

School Challenge with commonsense standards for the

health, physical activity, and nutritional awareness of

our country's students. And since I signed the Healthy,

Hunger-Free Kids Act into law in 2010, we have ensured

healthy meals are available for millions of students--

even after classes have finished for the year. By

working to encourage students to eat right and make

healthy choices today, we can help ensure these

positive habits continue throughout their lives.

Despite the progress we have made, more must be done to

safeguard a bright and healthy future for our children

and our Nation. Schools should foster an environment

where young people acquire the knowledge and skills

needed to make smart choices about what they eat, and

healthy school

[[Page 63072]]

Despite the progress we have made, more must be done to

safeguard a bright and healthy future for our children

and our Nation. Schools should foster an environment

where young people acquire the knowledge and skills

needed to make smart choices about what they eat, and

healthy school

[[Page 63072]]

meals should give children the fuel to work hard, grow,

and succeed. During National School Lunch Week, I

encourage everyone--students, educators, and parents

alike--to add more greens to their plates and increase

the amount of physical activity in their daily

routines. Even small steps, like going for a walk or

choosing fruits and vegetables over salty snacks and

sweets, help set a positive example and instill the

healthy habits our Nation's children need. Together--as

families, neighbors, and friends--we can turn these

small steps into national action and make a

transformative impact.

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 each

year as ``National School Lunch Week'' and has

requested the President to issue a proclamation in

observance of this week.

sformative impact.

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 each

year as ``National School Lunch Week'' and has

requested the President to issue a proclamation in

observance of this week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the

United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 11

through October 17, 2015, as National School Lunch

Week. I call upon all Americans to join the dedicated

individuals who administer the National School Lunch

Program in appropriate activities that support the

health and well-being of our Nation's children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two

thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United

States of America the two hundred and fortieth.

(Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-26584

Filed 10-16-15; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3295-F6-P