[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7609]

Proc. 7609

Proclamation 7609 of October 11, 2002

National School Lunch Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          The future success of our Nation depends on our children's 
          healthy development. Since 1946, the National School Lunch 
          Program (NSLP) has made important contributions to the well-
          being of our school children. As part of the NSLP, more than 
          96,000 schools and residential childcare institutions serve 
          more than 27 million children each day. In addition to 
          providing young people with nutritious meals, this program 
          supports the academic mission of our schools and helps to 
          ensure that all our Nation's children reach their full 
          potential.
          To avoid the formation of poor eating habits, which are 
          generally established during childhood, we must encourage 
          positive choices that fulfill dietary recommendations. It is 
          critical that our children eat sufficient amounts of fruits 
          and vegetables, reduce fat in their diets, and consume 
          essential nutrients in an overall diet with appropriate 
          calories. By making modest improvements to their diets and 
          increasing physical activities, children can dramatically 
          improve their overall health.
          To help meet this goal, the Department of Agriculture launched 
          the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children. This plan 
          empowers schools to serve ``kid-friendly'' meals that meet the 
          recommendations defined in the Dietary Guidelines for 
          Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid. Through Team Nutrition, 
          a comprehensive, behavior-based plan, the USDA assists schools 
          by supporting food service personnel with important training. 
          New recipes are now created by teams of dietitians and chefs, 
          and then taste-tested by chil-

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          dren. As a result, more children are enjoying lunches that are 
          lower in fat, saturated fat, and sodium.
          To motivate children to make sound choices, Team Nutrition 
          also educates them about the benefits of healthy eating. State 
          and local governments are supplementing these programs through 
          innovative partnerships with educators, school administrators, 
          community organizations, the food industry, and others. 
          Through these cooperative efforts we are addressing solutions 
          to health problems, such as the increasing incidence of 
          childhood obesity, and we are enhancing access to nutrition 
          programs for needy children.
          During National School Lunch Week, we recognize the hard work 
          and dedication of the thousands of food service professionals 
          who plan and prepare meals, and provide vital nutritional 
          education to our young people.
          In recognition of the contributions of the National School 
          Lunch Program to the health, education, and well-being of our 
          Nation'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 13 through 
          October 19, 2002, 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 and celebrations that promote 
          all programs that support the health and well-being of our 
          Nation's children.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh 
          day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and 
          of the Independence of the United States of America the two 
          hundred and twenty-seventh.

GEORGE W. BUSH