Reps. Gonzales, Ball, Bieda, Clack, Constan, Dean, Farrah, Garfield, Hammel, Hansen, Johnson, Lahti, Kathleen Law, LeBlanc, Leland, Lemmons, Mayes, Polidori, Proos, Sak, Shaffer, Spade, Vagnozzi, Valentine and Warren offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 194.

A resolution recognizing October 15 through October 19, 2007, as National School Lunch Week. 

Whereas, National School Lunch Week was established in 1963 by presidential proclamation. This week is dedicated to raising awareness of, and support for, the role that the National School Lunch Program and nutrition education play in the lives of children; and

Whereas, The National School Lunch Program, administered by United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, is a meal program that provides federal assistance to more than 100,000 schools and residential childcare institutions. Over 29 million children each school day are served nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches through the program; and

Whereas, Unhealthy children become unhealthy adults, and we have the responsibility to give our children every opportunity to grow up in a safe and healthy environment; and

Whereas, It is an undisputed fact that health care costs around the country are skyrocketing. The prevalence of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in the United States continues to climb, placing an enormous burden on state health care budgets; and

Whereas, By helping our children make healthy choices about food, we can reduce the rates of childhood obesity and diabetes and help prevent heart disease, stroke, and other diseases later in life. Nutritious meals can also improve students' concentration and help them succeed in school; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognizes October 15-19, 2007 as National School Lunch Week. We are devoted to the recognition of the dedicated parents, school officials, community leaders, and food service professionals for their efforts to ensure that our children are provided with nutritious meals each day.