December 13, 2010

Barbara Lee Attends Signing of Child Nutrition Bill

For Immediate Release
December 13, 2010

Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), joined President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and a number of her colleagues for the signing of The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act at the White House. She released this statement:

“Today’s signing of the child nutrition bill is a positive step in the right direction for our children. I particularly want to applaud our First Lady Michelle Obama for her steadfast commitment to ensuring that our children live healthy and active lives.

“With poverty and childhood obesity on the rise, this legislation achieves the twin goals of expanding the pool of needy children who are eligible for school nutrition programs while establishing healthier meal guidelines for American schools.

“While I have serious concerns about the cuts in funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program which were required to get this bill passed, I am pleased that President Obama reiterated his commitment to work with us to ensure that these cuts will be restored in the future.

“With more Americans slipping into poverty and unemployment at painfully high levels, we should not have to choose between feeding poor children or their parents – particularly as Congress debates a $900 billion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans.

“I will remain committed to protecting vital human needs programs, especially in these difficult economic times.”


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