Press Release of Senator Lugar Lugar press conference statement on child nutrition programs Thursday, July 29, 2010 U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar made the following statement at today’s press conference urging passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. This bipartisan legislation, which is completely paid for, will reauthorize child nutrition programs before they expire on September 30th and make the most historic investment in child nutrition programs since their inception. Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/senatorlugar.   I compliment the leadership of Chairman Blanche Lincoln and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss in developing a bipartisan bill that improves child nutrition programs.   As a former chairman of the Agriculture Committee, I know the difficulties in moving nutrition legislation. This bill was approved by the committee in March. There has been no significant opposition since then.   With the current law expiring at the end of September we should not delay passing this new bill. Doing so in the next week is possible and would encourage the earliest consideration by the House of Representatives in September.   For many children from low income homes, food from child nutrition programs may provide the bulk of the nutrition they receive during the day.   Children have no choice in their family’s circumstances, and these meals are critical to their chance for success and better health.   I have been through many contentious battles on child nutrition going back to my days on the Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners. We have debated local and state control, nutritional mandates, how expansive the programs should be, and the competition that hot lunches have from unhealthy food choices in school vending machines.   This is as close to a moment of significant progress and constructive consensus as can be achieved. Given our economic climate, we should seize this moment to pass the bill.   I urge quick passage and thank everyone here for their support in helping make this happen.    ###