Fw: Lincoln Continues Pressing Senate to Pass Child NutritionReauthorization

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From: "Rowe, Courtney (Agriculture)" <Courtney_Rowe@agriculture.senate.gov>

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 17:01:26 -0500

Subject: Lincoln Continues Pressing Senate to Pass Child Nutrition Reauthorization

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2010

Contact:   Courtney Rowe, Ben Becker (202) 224-2035

 

--- Video Footage Included ---

 

Lincoln Continues Pressing Senate to Pass Child Nutrition Reauthorization

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, D- Ark., Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, continued pressing her Senate colleagues today to reauthorize child nutrition legislation before child nutrition programs expire on Sept. 30. In a speech on the Senate floor, she highlighted that the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is bipartisan, completely paid for and will address the growing childhood obesity and hunger epidemics.

 

 "The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act will put us on a path to improve the health of the next generation of Americans.  If we miss the opportunity to pass this bill and improve these programs, it will be our children who pay the price for our inaction.  This bill is bipartisan, completely paid for and provides common-sense solutions to addressing childhood hunger and obesity. Congress should pass this bill before August and make an investment in our children that will last a lifetime," said Lincoln.

 

Lincoln's remarks come as increasing national focus is being placed on child nutrition and hunger issues. Earlier this week, First Lady Michelle Obama continued the call for national action, pressing Congressional leaders to make child nutrition reauthorization a top priority.

 

"The Child Nutrition Bill working its way through Congress has support from both Democrats and Republicans," the First Lady said in an op-ed published in the Washington Post. "The bill will make it easier for the tens of millions of children who participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program -- and many others who are eligible but not enrolled -- to get the nutritious meals they need to do their best. It will set higher nutritional standards for school meals by requiring more fruits, vegetables and whole grains while reducing fat and salt. It will offer rewards to schools that meet those standards. And it will help eliminate junk food from vending machines and a la carte lines -- a major step that is supported by parents, health-experts, and many in the food and beverage industry."

  

Lincoln also commended Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) for his op-ed published today in The New York Times, which emphasizes the need for swift and immediate action on the reauthorization.

 

"Today, my colleague Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana continued this national call to action with an op-ed in The New York Times, highlighting the need to reauthorize this legislation immediately, continuing to demonstrate that this is an issue that scales the walls of partisanship," Lincoln said.

 

The full text of Lincoln's remarks today on child nutrition reauthorization is below. To watch a video of Lincoln delivering her remarks please click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ94MwxC4U0.

To read First Lady Michelle Obama's op-ed, please visit the Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/01/AR2010080103291.html.

 

To read Sen. Richard Lugar's op-ed, please visit The New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/opinion/04lugar.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss.

 

 

REMARKS OF CHAIRMAN BLANCHE LINCOLN

In the United States Senate on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

August 4, 2010

 

Mr. President I come to the floor today for the second week to continue to urge my colleagues to pass child nutrition reauthorization legislation before child nutrition programs expire on September 30.

 

The bipartisan Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act will put our country on a path to significantly improving the health of the next generation of Americans.  Congress has the opportunity to make an historic investment in our most precious gift and the future of this country – our children.  We are circulating a consent agreement right now that will require no more than three hours of Senators' time.

 

Last week I spoke multiple times about this bill.  I talked about the very real threats of hunger and obesity in this country, and how our bill works to address both. I talked about the cost of action. This bill is completely paid for and will not add one cent to the deficit.  I also talked about the cost of inaction – about what it will mean to our states, our schools, our families, our children, if we fail to pass this bill.

 

Another school year will start without nutritional standards for meals served in schools, meaning we will miss another important cycle in a child's life to instill good eating habits. Schools will lose out on the first increase to the reimbursement rate since 1973. And afterschool feeding programs will suffer, meaning Congress will fail to recognize that hunger doesn't end when the school bell rings.

 

We can sacrifice three hours of our time for our children.

 

We continue to spend a lot of time debating bills here on the floor this week without seeing much in the way of actual results.  This bill represents a real opportunity for us to actually get something done and to breathe some fresh, bipartisan air into this chamber for a change.  I think the American people are looking for us to do that.  I think they are thirsty for results.  They want us to roll up our sleeves, make the tough decisions, and get things done, which is what we're elected to do.  They don't want to see us wasting precious time, putting each others' respective political parties in difficult positions. They want to see us spend our time wisely and seize opportunities where we have come together in a bipartisan manner to solve real problems.  We are elected to work together to pass legislation that addresses the very real issues that families face today.  This legislation does that.

 

On Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama wrote an op-ed that was published in the Washington Post that reminded us about the historic opportunity that we have in front of us. An opportunity to make our schools and our children healthier by passing this bill.  I happen to have a copy of the First Lady's op-ed with me right now, and would ask unanimous consent that the full text appear in the record following my remarks.

 

One clear call to action in the First Lady's article was her statement about how important it is for Congress to pass this bill as soon as possible.  She recognizes that we are poised to do something truly historic.  I couldn't agree with her more. 

 

And today, my colleague Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana continued this national call to action with an op-ed in The New York Times, highlighting the need to reauthorize this legislation immediately, continuing to demonstrate that this is an issue that scales the walls of partisanship.

 

I know that we have a lot on our plate this week.  But I am determined to see this bill come up for a vote.  We can do it and we should. 

 

So I am going to continue to come to the floor this week and talk about this bill.  I am going to continue to talk about the real children and families who would benefit from this legislation, and who are depending on us to do the right thing.  I am going to continue to press my colleagues so that we can get this done.

 

So let's just do it.  In the words of the First Lady, "Let's Move."  Let's get this done.  Let's not let this historic opportunity, to change our children's lives, pass us by.

 

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

 

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