Presidential Documents

53145 

Federal Register 

Vol. 74, No. 199 

Friday, October 16, 2009 

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 wellbeing 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. 


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53146 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 199 / Friday, October 16, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. E9–25080 

Filed 10–15–09; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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