Lunchboxadvocates.org support HR 3277

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/

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.

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.

Here is a link to the official HB 52 bill (full text)

Here is a link to the official HB 52 bill.

Click here

The bill will open as a word 2007 document.

Here is a link to the actual HR 3277 bill (full text)

U.S. House - H.R. 3277 via MyGov365.com

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

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"

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.

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"

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.

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.