National School Lunch Week, 1998

Proclamation 7137 of October 9, 1998

National School Lunch Week, 1998

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

When the National School Lunch Program was established
by President Truman in 1946, it built upon decades of
local commitment by parents, educators, and community
leaders who recognized a simple but important fact:
hungry children can't learn. Today, for millions of
students, the National School Lunch Program provides
nutritious meals that serve as a vital foundation for
learning and growing. Many of these children receive
their only nutritious meal of the day at school. Thanks
to this practical and effective program, children and
adolescents in school cafeterias across our country not
only have the opportunity to enjoy a wholesome and
balanced meal each day, but they also begin to
understand the importance of making healthy eating
choices.

Unfortunately, the eating habits of America's children
and adolescents often fall short. Parents, educators,
school administrators, food service professionals, and
community leaders must work in partnership to ensure
that our youth learn the importance of good nutrition
to overall good health. Learning about nutrition in
school and having the daily opportunity to eat a well-
balanced meal can help children develop the eating
habits necessary to excel in the classroom and in life.

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), 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, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 11
through October 17, 1998, as National School Lunch
Week. I call upon all Americans to join the dedicated
individuals who lead child nutrition programs at the
State and local levels in appropriate activities and
celebrations that promote these programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-third.