August 5, 2010

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement today after the Senate passed child nutrition legislation by unanimous consent this afternoon:

"This has been a good week for children in Nevada and across America.  After Democrats fought to prevent hundreds of thousands of teachers from being laid off earlier today, we led passage of much-needed child nutrition legislation this afternoon.  The bill we passed today, with the leadership of Chairwoman Lincoln, First Lady Michelle Obama, and others, provides school meals for scores of children across the nation and helps schools provide healthier meals.  And we're establishing more strict nutrition guidelines for school lunches.

"It is estimated that nearly 100,000 Nevada children don't know where they will get their next meal and nearly 200,000 Nevada children depend on free or reduced lunch programs.  With this bipartisan bill, these children will receive healthy school lunches every day that they need for healthy growth.

"America must raise future generations of children who are provided with the food they need to do well in school and children who are encouraged to eat healthier, both for their personal well-being and to prevent health problems later in life, and this bill accomplishes that.  The bill that we passed today will enrich the lives of our children now and save lives years later."

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