Date: 2011-06-15
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the value of emphasizing the importance of urban gardening. My amendment would prohibit any of the funds made available by the appropriations from being used in contravention of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Fortyseven million American families live in poverty that restricts their access to healthy food. The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 supports numerous programs aimed at reducing hunger throughout the country. Seventeen million children struggle with hunger every day. affecting their ability to learn and develop in a country so full of resources. It is unconscionable that millions of children do not have enough to eat. We cannot consider proposals that would contradict existing legislation aimed at improving food security. such as the Food and Nutrition Act of In my home State of Texas. where I represent the 18th Congressional District. 17.4 percent of all households struggle with food security. Community Food Projects Competitive Grants are a vital aspect of the Food and Nutrition Act and must be preserved. Community Food Projects Grants have helped thousands of people in lowincome communities combat food insecurity by developing community food projects that encourage healthy habits and selfsufficiency. These grants increase the selfreliance of lowincome communities that have historically encountered difficulties in providing foods. Programs funded by Community Food Projects Grants have been successful in cities and towns. And. in fact. more than 550.000 Harris County residents relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to buy food. But one of the important aspects of this is the urban garden. The Peoples Garden School Pilot Program will develop and run gardens in highpoverty schools. Teaching students about health and nutrition and increasing access to healthy foods are invaluable benefits of schools where more than 50 percent of the student body qualifies for free or reducedcost lunches. I rise to encourage support for this particular part of the bill so that we can continue to support urban gardening. And I want to salute Veggie Pals. a gardening program that does just that. It finds patches of land wherever it might be. and it makes sure that we provide healthy food. This amendment would ensure that nothing in this legislation. nothing in this appropriation would prohibit the growth and continued expansion of this very important concept of urban gardening. The number of Americans who suffer from poverty and hunger is unacceptable. Reducing or redirecting funding meant to increase food security and nutrition is simply not an option. Join me in recognizing the value of urban gardens. And thank you to the Veggie Pals gardening program that has educated how many thousands of children and emphasized the value of good and healthy food. This program. Veggie Pals. urban gardening. educating people about nutrition. meal preparation. physical activities. cookbooks. Olympics and others. promotes healthy behavior. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chair. I rise before you and my colleagues today to take the opportunity to explain my amendment to H.R. 2112. "Making Appropriations for Agriculture. Rural Development. Food and Drug Administration. and Related Agencies Programs for the fiscal year ending September 30. 2012. and for other purposes." My amendment would prohibit any of the funds made available by the appropriations from being used in contravention of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. 47 million American families live in poverty that restricts their access to healthy food. The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 supports numerous programs aimed at reducing hunger throughout the country. 17 million children struggle with hunger every day. affecting their ability to learn and develop. In a country so full of resources. it is unconscionable that millions of children do not have enough to eat. We cannot consider proposals that would contradict existing legislation aimed at improving food security. such as the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. In my home state of Texas. where I represent the 18th Congressional District. 17.4 percent of all households struggle with food security. Community Food Project Competitive Grants are a vital aspect of the Food and Nutrition Act that must be preserved. Community Food Project grants have helped thousands of people in lowincome communities combat food insecurity by developing community food projects that encourage healthy habits and selfsufficiency. These grants increase the self reliance of low income communities that have historically encountered difficulties in providing for their own food needs. Programs funded by community food project grants have been successful in cities and towns across America. and would certainly make a difference in the 18th Congressional District. In December of 2010. more than 550.000 Harris County residents relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Access Program to buy food. Hunger and food insecurity have grave impacts on children. Students do not have the opportunity to succeed if they are hungry. The Peoples Garden School Pilot program will develop and run gardens at high poverty schools. Teaching students about health and nutrition and increasing access to healthy foods are invaluable benefits at schools where more than 50 percent of the student body qualifies for free or reduced cost lunches. Community food project grants and other initiatives such as the Peoples Garden Project represent practical and long term solutions to ending food insecurity in America. We must be committed to funding programs that encourage selfsufficient food sources. highlight the importance of nutrition. and reach children at an early age. The number of Americans who suffer from poverty and hunger is unacceptable. Reducing or redirecting funding meant to increase food security and nutrition is simply not an option. We must continue to fund programs like the community food project grants and the Peoples Garden. It is the responsibility of each and every Member in this chamber to work for the wellbeing of our constituents and to ensure that the basic needs of constituents are met. I urge my colleagues to think of those who are affected by hunger in their districts and support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas .