The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MILK IS A CORNERSTONE OF STUDENTS' SCHOOL LUNCH” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H8512-H8513 on Nov. 6, 2017.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MILK IS A CORNERSTONE OF STUDENTS' SCHOOL LUNCH
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a cornerstone of a student school lunch: milk.
Milk is the number one source of nine essential nutrients in the diet of many young Americans, and it provides significant health benefits. But over the past few years, milk consumption has been on the decline in school lunch programs. That is why, together with Representative Joe Courtney, I introduced the School Milk Nutrition Act of 2017.
Our bill would ease unnecessary regulations preventing milk consumption in school lunch programs. The bipartisan bill recognizes the importance of milk to the health and well-being of school children. It also works to improve the variety and availability of milk offered in schools, which was supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue earlier this year. In May, Secretary Purdue directed USDA to begin the process of allowing schools to serve 1 percent flavored milk through the school meals program.
When schoolchildren don't drink milk, they are missing out on essential nutrients. I urge my colleagues to support this bill so another generation of children can fall in love with milk.
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