Children

Testifies at Senate Agriculture Committee on the Opportunities to Address Critical Issues During Reauthorization of Child Nutrition Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 17 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today testified in front of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Environment on the opportunities to combat child hunger and improve the health and nutrition of children across the country during the upcoming reauthorization of USDA's Child Nutrition Programs.

Below are excerpts from Vilsack's prepared testimony:

"The reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs presents us with an important opportunity to combat child hunger, improve the health and nutrition of children across the nation, and enhance program performance.    » read more »

Statement of the Honorable Blanche L. Lincoln, Chairman, Hearing on Child Nutrition Reauthorization

November 17, 2009 -- As prepared for delivery:

“Good morning and welcome to the Senate Agriculture Committee, where today we will continue a series of hearings begun by my predecessor, Senator Tom Harkin, in anticipation of the reauthorization of federal child nutrition programs. We are honored today to be joined by two distinguished panels of witnesses, including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and a panel of experts from Arkansas.    » read more »

Hearing on Child Nutrition Reauthorization

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today urged his Senate colleagues to take action to end hunger as the Senate begins to debate the reauthorization of U.S. Child Nutrition Programs. Senator Casey participated in a hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry entitled “Reauthorization of U.S. Child Nutrition Programs: Opportunities to Fight Hunger and Improve Child Health.”    » read more »

Following New Report from USDA Showing Unprecedented Rise in Hunger, Brown Emphasizes Need to Enroll More Children in Nutrition Programs

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition and Family Farms, attended a hearing today of the Senate Agriculture Committee entitled, "Opportunities to Fight Hunger and Improve Child Health."

Brown emphasized the need to pass his Hunger Free Schools Act, which would help enroll more students who qualify for nutrition assistance in the school lunch program by increasing the program's efficiency through technology improvements and paperwork reduction.    » read more »

As Overall Hunger Rates Go Down Over Three Years in Colorado, Study Shows that Problem Increased in 2009 as Economic Crisis Continues to Hurt Families

November 17, 2009 -- On the heels of a new study that found 1 in 8 Colorado households lack dependable access to adequate food, as well as recent reports showing more children in Colorado are living in poverty, Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, today pushed lawmakers to revisit the role the federal government can play in fighting child hunger and improving public health.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced a significant decrease in tobacco sales to Wisconsin minors. The state’s 2009 Synar sales compliance survey, which determines the number of retail outlets that are selling tobacco illegally to minors, shows a noncompliance rate of 5.7 percent—20 percent lower than the 2008 rate of 7.2 percent.

“In Wisconsin, we are working hard to protect our kids from the scourge of tobacco,” Governor Doyle said. “Our state has a long history of preventing youth tobacco sales and I’m pleased our efforts are paying off.”

Governor Doyle also thanked retailers for helping keep tobacco out of the hands of minors and for their dedication to protecting young people from tobacco’s harmful effects.    » read more »

New Law to Take Effect Next Week

November 16, 2009 -- DOVER- Delaware would become the first state in America to require insurance carriers to cover medically appropriate developmental screening tests for children between birth and the age of three under a new law that will take effect Nov. 25.

The new law, which Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed into law Aug. 27, will dramatically increase the number of children whose developmental delays are detected at a very young age when they can be successfully treated.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) released the following statement today on the USDA’s report on Household Food Security in the United States, 2008, which showed 49 million Americans lack dependable access to adequate food. This is the highest number since the government began keeping records, and underscores the need for further action from Congress. Congresswoman DeLauro said:

“The new hunger figures released today by the USDA are deeply disturbing, especially given that food and fuel costs were rising so dramatically during 2008. It is even more disturbing to think that these numbers are probably worse today due to the economy.    » read more »

Chemical Has Been Shown To Lead To Developmental Problems And Cancers

November 16, 2009 -- On the heels of a new Consumer Reports’ study showing that the toxic chemical bisphenol-A is now in a wider range of products used and consumed by children and in higher concentrations than previously thought, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today unveiled his legislation that bans BPA in food and beverage containers marketed to kids aged three and under.    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law Senate Bills 280, 299, 331 and 347, which build on his work to protect kids, ensure every child has a chance to succeed, and prevent fraud.

“As Governor, my number one priority has always been putting our kids first,” Governor Doyle said. “We have come a long way to help kids have the best education, best health care and best family support system possible. These bills signed into law today build on our efforts to protect our kids and ensure they can get a great start to life.”

Legislation signed by the Governor also builds on efforts to detect and prevent fraud in Wisconsin Shares, the state’s child care program for over 60,000 low-income working families.    » read more »

Chemical Used in Countless Products Including Baby Bottles, Canned Formula and Canned Food

November 13, 2009 -- On the heels of a new Consumer Reports’ study showing that the toxic chemical bisphenol-A is now in a wider range of products used and consumed by children and in higher concentrations than previously thought, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today unveiled his legislation that bans BPA in food and beverage containers marketed to kids aged three and under.    » read more »

Additional 35,000 kids on track to register in state health insurance program

November 10, 2009 -- LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear joined Congressman John Yarmuth and Mayor Jerry Abramson today to announce that new federal stimulus money will help enroll more children in Jefferson County in the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP). One year ago, Gov. Beshear launched a plan to enroll 35,000 KCHIP-eligible children by summer 2010 – a goal the state expects to meet by the end of 2009, six months ahead of schedule.    » read more »

Executive Order Makes California Eligible for Millions of Dollars in Federal Head Start Funds

11/09/2009 -- Building on his commitment to both high-quality early childhood education and bringing available American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding to California, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued Executive Order S-23-09 establishing the California State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care. This is the first step in making California eligible to compete for a share of $100 million in federal Head Start funds available through President Obama’s Recovery Act.    » read more »

Vilsack Says Child Nutrition Reauthorization is Opportunity to Work Towards Goal of Ending Childhood Hunger

WORCESTER, Mass., November 9, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today visited Worchester, Mass., to help launch a hospital hunger initiative at UMass Memorial Health Care in Worchester aimed at eliminating hunger in our communities and reducing the barriers that keep families from receiving adequate nutrition. Vilsack was joined by Congressman Jim McGovern and Governor Deval Patrick as part of his efforts to draw attention to the issues of food insecurity and hunger and promote the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization.    » read more »

Bill Helps High Schoolers Bike and Walk Safely to School

06 November 2009 -- Washington, DC – Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore) today introduced the Safe Routes to High Schools Act, H.R. 4021, which would expand the popular Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program to include high schools. SRTS works with parents, schools, community leaders and local, state, and federal governments to improve kids’ health by enabling them to walk and bike to class.    » read more »