I just found this website called TheLunchBoxAdvocates.org. They are a foundation that supports reform in the school lunch program and are also an affiliate to Jamie Oliver and the Food Revolution. If you go to the Elected Officials page on the website, there is a search tool that will locate your are representative. It also lets you email them and give them your concersn on the issue.
Here is a Link to read more!
http://www.lunchboxadvocates.org/ffff/home/
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Texas has a bill similar to HB 52...
"The Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 19 have gave authority to the State Board of Education to adopt rules that mandate daily physical activity in elementary schools up to a maximum of 30 minutes per day. The SBOE in March, 2002 did adopt a rule requiring daily physical activity. A local school board may adopt a standard which exceeds this minimum. A local School Health Education Advisory Council, for example, has the authority to make recommendations to the local School Board for stronger requirements."
This bill is very similar to HB 52, except that it applies to elementary schools only. It goes beyond HB 52 in terms that it adds an extra education component to it, so they are getting exercise and physical/health education. This may be soemthign to consider as an amendment later downt he road. However, it would also be difficult to implement it, jsut as the Warren Co. school system suggested.
This bill is very similar to HB 52, except that it applies to elementary schools only. It goes beyond HB 52 in terms that it adds an extra education component to it, so they are getting exercise and physical/health education. This may be soemthign to consider as an amendment later downt he road. However, it would also be difficult to implement it, jsut as the Warren Co. school system suggested.
No reply from Congressman Meeks
I sent an email to congressman Meeks, regarding his support for HB52. Just like with my federal Bill, I have not had a reply from him or his office. Since he is already sponsoring the bill, I am not that worried. I am sure he is still fighting for it.
2 weeks and no reply from Congressman Miller.
It has been 2 weeks since my email to congressman miller, and I still ahve not had a reply from him or his office. This is very discouraging as seeing that congress isnt even in session right now. However, I understand that he is a busy man, and hope to hear from him at some point.
Friday, April 16, 2010
HR 3277 and Jamie Olivers Food Revolution
After watchign teh series Jamie Olivers Food Revolution on ABC. I was thinking how much it relates to the federal bill Ive been following. Jamie is pushing for healthier meals in schools. One of the main problems he faced was being able to budget the higher cost for healthier food. The extra funding taht 3277 would allocate to schools could help offset this cost. Another component of Jamies Revolution is to educate the students on what they are eating. HR 3277 also would address this with its fundign for nutrition education in the schools.
Jamie had success with this in England. He showed that there are clear benefits aside from health factors taht can result from it. Lets hope some of these Congressmen and women have been watching the show.
Here is a link to his Food Revolution Petition.
http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/petition
Jamie had success with this in England. He showed that there are clear benefits aside from health factors taht can result from it. Lets hope some of these Congressmen and women have been watching the show.
Here is a link to his Food Revolution Petition.
http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/petition
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Letter to State Congressman Meeks
"Dear Senator Meeks,
The reason for this letter is to encourage you to co-sponsor Bill number H.B. 52 to elating to physical activity designed to reduce obesity and improve body mass index in children. I understand that the bill was introduced on January 5th and has been amended twice since then. I strongly feel that this Bill and the data that will be recorded with its passing will be of great value to local health professional sat tackling the childhood obesity epidemic that our state and country are facing. With this information we can plan programs and interventions to help this situation.
Thank you for all you do for the state of Kentucky, and your time reading this letter.
Sincerely,
Austin Dacci"
The reason for this letter is to encourage you to co-sponsor Bill number H.B. 52 to elating to physical activity designed to reduce obesity and improve body mass index in children. I understand that the bill was introduced on January 5th and has been amended twice since then. I strongly feel that this Bill and the data that will be recorded with its passing will be of great value to local health professional sat tackling the childhood obesity epidemic that our state and country are facing. With this information we can plan programs and interventions to help this situation.
Thank you for all you do for the state of Kentucky, and your time reading this letter.
Sincerely,
Austin Dacci"
Another Amendmant for HB 52!
" HFA (2, A. Wuchner) - Modify requirement that schools containing grades K-5 fully implement a wellness policy providing at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day by 2010-2011; require beginning implementation in 2010-2011 with a goal of implementation in 50 percent of K-5 schools by 2012-2013 and full implementation by 2013-2014."
I really dont understand the reasoning for this unless most schools just aren't ready to do implement it. In that case, a new, more realistic, deadline such as this may be in order.
I really dont understand the reasoning for this unless most schools just aren't ready to do implement it. In that case, a new, more realistic, deadline such as this may be in order.
Email to Congressman Miller...
"Congressman Miller,
I would first like to thank you for all your support toward the recent health care legislation. This is a landmark event in our nation’s history, but there is still more to be done. I am a Community Nutrition Masters student at Eastern Kentucky University, and I have been following H.R. 3277, which has currently been referred to your subcommittee.
When reviewing the recent health care legislation I noticed the "Child Obesity Demonstration Project" portion. It is to my understanding that this would provide $25 million for a project aimed at reducing childhood obesity in community- based settings, schools and through educational, counseling and training activities. I also noticed funding allocated for school based clinics as well. While all of these services are greatly needed, improvement in our school lunch and breakfast programs are also needed.
The current guidelines and resources our schools are provided with are severely inadequate. Proper nutrition in school will not only improve the health of our children over their lifetimes, but it can also potentially increase academic performance as well. Nutrition is very important for school children. Multiple studies have shown that poor nutrition has an adverse effect on school performance and overall achievement. Improving health and nutrition in underfed children is linked with less non-attendance, more grades completed and better performance on tests.
I believe it is our responsibility as Americans to provide our children with the best opportunity to succeed as possible, and your support for H.R. 3277 would be crucial in doing so.
Thank you for your time,
Austin Dacci"
I would first like to thank you for all your support toward the recent health care legislation. This is a landmark event in our nation’s history, but there is still more to be done. I am a Community Nutrition Masters student at Eastern Kentucky University, and I have been following H.R. 3277, which has currently been referred to your subcommittee.
When reviewing the recent health care legislation I noticed the "Child Obesity Demonstration Project" portion. It is to my understanding that this would provide $25 million for a project aimed at reducing childhood obesity in community- based settings, schools and through educational, counseling and training activities. I also noticed funding allocated for school based clinics as well. While all of these services are greatly needed, improvement in our school lunch and breakfast programs are also needed.
The current guidelines and resources our schools are provided with are severely inadequate. Proper nutrition in school will not only improve the health of our children over their lifetimes, but it can also potentially increase academic performance as well. Nutrition is very important for school children. Multiple studies have shown that poor nutrition has an adverse effect on school performance and overall achievement. Improving health and nutrition in underfed children is linked with less non-attendance, more grades completed and better performance on tests.
I believe it is our responsibility as Americans to provide our children with the best opportunity to succeed as possible, and your support for H.R. 3277 would be crucial in doing so.
Thank you for your time,
Austin Dacci"
Rep. George Miller Talks abotu Child Nutrition
This is a good sign, it shows that he is passionate about the bill, and theat he is going to put forth an honest effort to get it passed. Hopefully he is suffering to the bill I am following.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
HR-3277
I was checking up on my federal bill (HR-3277), and was disappointed to find out that it was NOT included in the health care reform package that was recently passed by the House. Even more disappointing was the fact that child nutrition programs were one of the big topics discussed in this legislation. There has been no updates listed on the tracking websites, and the discussion questions I mentioned in my last post still have not been answered.
I plan to email the chair of the subcommittee, Representative George Miller (not currently a sponsor), and discuss the importance of this bill. Hopefully I will get a response.
I plan to email the chair of the subcommittee, Representative George Miller (not currently a sponsor), and discuss the importance of this bill. Hopefully I will get a response.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Bills related to HR 3277
S.934 - Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act: 4/30/2009
Senate version of H.R.1324. Amends the CNA by updating the national school nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold outside of meals.
Agriculture Committee
H.R.1324 - Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act: 3/5/2009
House version of S. 934. Amends the CNA by updating the national school nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold outside of meals.
Education CommitteeH.R.2322 - Healthy Food Choices for Kids Act: 5/7/2009
Establishes a pilot program to post nutritional content information regarding foods served at schools and to teach students how to make healthy food selections.
Education CommitteeS.1500 - A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to prohibit schools that participate in the Federal school meal programs from serving foods that contain trans fats derived from partially hydrogenated oils: 7/22/2009
Prohibits schools that participate in the Federal School Meal program from serving foods that contain trans fats, and calls for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be given authority to regulate all food in public schools.
Agriculture CommitteeS.1650 - A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve the purchase and processing of healthful commodities for use in school meal programs: 9/8/2009
The Department of Agriculture will develop and provide state departments of education and agriculture with model product specifications and practices for foods offered in school nutrition programs to ensure that the foods reflect the most recent Dietary Guidelines. Also, the department will study and make recommendations on the nutritional information available to school food authorities.Agriculture Committee
Warren County Schools Oppose HB 52
A recent news article in the Bowlingreen Daily News talks about how the Warren County School system opposes the bill that I am following.
"While there may be good intentions behind House Bill 52 - which aims to reduce obesity and improve body mass index in children, according to its authors - there is nothing good about its practical or logistical implementation, Warren County and Bowling Green school officials said."
I can kind of understand what they are saying. They are pushing for mandated time, but there isn't any room int eh schedule to implement it. In other words, time from some other area must be sacrificed.
Link:
http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2010/03/20/news/news1.txt
"While there may be good intentions behind House Bill 52 - which aims to reduce obesity and improve body mass index in children, according to its authors - there is nothing good about its practical or logistical implementation, Warren County and Bowling Green school officials said."
I can kind of understand what they are saying. They are pushing for mandated time, but there isn't any room int eh schedule to implement it. In other words, time from some other area must be sacrificed.
Link:
http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2010/03/20/news/news1.txt
Thursday, March 4, 2010
HR-3277 updates?
I did my weekly check on my the federal bill i selected. Unfortunately there has nto been and action since Oct. 22nd, which i reported on my first entry. This doesnt mean that the bill has flown under the radar though. There is some interesting discussion from other concerned citizens about the bill. On the tracking page of the bill there is 2 questions about the bill. Unfortunately none of the questions have been responded to by the sponsors of the bill. I will monitor them closely to see if anything comes up.
Amendment fileed for HB-52
An amendment, that was introduced on January 5th, was filed on Feb. 27th that would require the following:
"Direct the Kentucky Board of Education to require the recording of body mass index data on the Preventive Health Care Examination Form used by local health providers during examinations performed prior to a child's initial admission to school and prior to entry into the sixth grade; require the Kentucky Department of Education to report to the Interim Joint Committee on Education on the implementation of school wellness policies in public schools; permit the department to share aggregate body mass index data with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services; prohibit K-5 schools from excluding students from physical activity as a form of discipline; delete requirement for schools to include activity and wellness data on school report card."
I think this amendment is great. It makes it possible to gather data on the entire public school system entering the 6th grade. It also bans the ability of the school to take away physical activity as a punishment. The data collected from this can be used by the state and local governments to get a better idea of what kind of interventions to implement in the school system.
"Direct the Kentucky Board of Education to require the recording of body mass index data on the Preventive Health Care Examination Form used by local health providers during examinations performed prior to a child's initial admission to school and prior to entry into the sixth grade; require the Kentucky Department of Education to report to the Interim Joint Committee on Education on the implementation of school wellness policies in public schools; permit the department to share aggregate body mass index data with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services; prohibit K-5 schools from excluding students from physical activity as a form of discipline; delete requirement for schools to include activity and wellness data on school report card."
I think this amendment is great. It makes it possible to gather data on the entire public school system entering the 6th grade. It also bans the ability of the school to take away physical activity as a punishment. The data collected from this can be used by the state and local governments to get a better idea of what kind of interventions to implement in the school system.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Co-Sponsors for 3277
I thought there was only one sponsor for the bill, which there is. I ddint see that it had 17 other co-sponsors. Here they are.
Cosponsors:
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sponsors for HR3277
Representative
D-WI
Representative Moore from Wisconson is the only sponsor for this bill. She also serves on the House Committee on Financial Services. This committee has jurisdiction over the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries. The Committee also oversees the work of the Federal Reserve, the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other financial services regulators.
Sponsors of HB 52
Here is a list of all the sponsors for HB 52.
A. Wuchner - House District 66
T. Burch - House District 30
R. Crimm - House District 33
R. Meeks - House District 42
T. Riner- House District 41
W. Stone - House District 22
D. Watkins - House District 11
S. Westrom - House District 79
A. Wuchner - House District 66
T. Burch - House District 30
R. Crimm - House District 33
R. Meeks - House District 42
T. Riner- House District 41
W. Stone - House District 22
D. Watkins - House District 11
S. Westrom - House District 79
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Federal Bill
H.R.3277
Title: To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to establish a program to improve the health and education of children through grants to expand school breakfast programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] (introduced 7/21/2009) Cosponsors (16)
Related Bills: S.1480
This bill would provide money for schools to offer nutrition education and other programs for schools. It would also expand the school breakfast program. This kind of goes along with my state bill that I selected as it targets school age children. The latest action with this bill, is that it has been referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.
Title: To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to establish a program to improve the health and education of children through grants to expand school breakfast programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] (introduced 7/21/2009) Cosponsors (16)
Related Bills: S.1480
This bill would provide money for schools to offer nutrition education and other programs for schools. It would also expand the school breakfast program. This kind of goes along with my state bill that I selected as it targets school age children. The latest action with this bill, is that it has been referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I finally picked a bill!
HB 52 (BR 61) - A. Wuchner, T. Burch, D. Watkins, S. Westrom
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the Kentucky Department of Education to identify and disseminate model resources for integrating physical activity during the school day; encourage schools to utilize certified physical education teachers in the development of physical activity plans; develop a reporting mechanism for schools containing grades K-5 to report physical activity, aggregate body mass index, and wellness program data; require the Department of Education to report no later than November 1 of each year to the Interim Joint Committee on Education and the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare; require the Department of Education to share data with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to assist in planning improvements in health services for children; amend KRS 160.345 to require that school council wellness policies provide for at least 30 minutes of structured moderate to vigorous physical activity, 150 minutes per week, or the equivalent per month; require school councils to report progress data; require that structured physical activity be considered part of the instructional day; prohibit exclusion from structured physical activity as a form of discipline; encourage schools with grades 6-8 to adopt similar policies; amend KRS 158.6453 to require inclusion of physical activity and wellness data in school report card; cite the Act as the Healthy Kids Act."
I firmly believe that in order for America to get over the health crisis (including physical and financial) that we must start with out children. Developing positive health habits early will help prevent negative health conditions from developing. Physical Activity along with nutrition is key to doing this. This is why I chose this bill to follow.
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