National School Lunch Week, 2009

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8436 of October 9, 2009

National School Lunch Week, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every young American deserves access to a wholesome,
nutritious lunch. These meals prevent hunger and give
our children the energy and nourishment they need to
grow into healthy, productive adults. Since 1946, the
National School Lunch Program has helped to protect the
health and well-being of our children by providing them
with balanced, low-cost or free lunches throughout the
school year. This week, we renew our commitment to
serving healthy meals that will prepare our next
generation of leaders to learn and thrive.

The National School Lunch Program serves more than 31
million students every school day at over 100,000
schools across our Nation. These meals can be an
important source of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat
dairy products, containing essential nutrients to meet
the demands of a growing child. For many
schoolchildren, it will be their most nutritious meal--
sometimes their only meal--of the day. This program can
also teach children about the importance of good eating
habits, which is vital to our Nation's fight against
childhood obesity. In the coming months, my
Administration will continue our partnership with
Federal, State, and local leaders to strengthen the
National School Lunch Program. We must work together to
remove barriers that prevent some eligible children
from receiving meals, and update nutrition standards to
reflect the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Academic success requires hard work and concentration.
Students distracted by hunger cannot match the focus of
their peers. Poorly nourished students are also more
likely to become ill, and miss class more frequently.
During National School Lunch Week, we honor all those
who make the National School Lunch Program possible,
including government and school officials, food service
professionals, farmers, and parents. By ensuring that
every child, regardless of background or family income,
is properly fed at school, we secure a brighter future
for each of them and for America.

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 the week
of October 11 through October 17, 2009, 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 nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.