National School Lunch Week, 2008

Proclamation 8304 of October 10, 2008

National School Lunch Week, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During National School Lunch Week, we underscore the
importance of providing America's children with access
to nutritious meals and helping them develop good
eating habits through the National School Lunch
Program.

The National School Lunch Program is a federally
assisted meal program administered by the Department of
Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service in cooperation
with State agencies. Since 1946, the National School
Lunch Program has served more than 187 billion lunches
to students across America. The program is designed to
ensure that each day millions of children are receiving
the healthy food necessary to succeed by providing
access to nutritious low-cost or free meals. By serving
well-balanced meals that are lower in fat and have
plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods,
this program helps children learn healthy eating
habits, reduce their risk of serious health problems,
and perform better in the classroom.

Throughout National School Lunch Week, we recognize the
school officials and parents who encourage young people
to develop good eating habits. We also thank the
dedicated food service professionals who serve our
children healthy foods each day at school.

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 the week
of October 12 through October 18, 2008, 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
tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.