Proclamation 9345-National School Lunch Week, 2015
Issued 2015-10-09 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued this proclamation to designate National School Lunch Week in 2015. The proclamation recognizes the National School Lunch Program, which was created by the National School Lunch Act in 1946 and currently provides lunches—either subsidized or at no cost—to millions of students in over 100,000 schools. The proclamation acknowledges that for many children, particularly those from low-income communities, school meals are often the only stable source of health and nutrition and the most consistent source of food.
This proclamation affects American schoolchildren, especially those relying on school meals for their nutrition. It specifically highlights school administrators, educators, cafeteria workers, parents, caregivers, and guardians who work to provide these meals. The proclamation also references the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed in 2010, which aimed to ensure healthy meals are available for students.
This proclamation matters because it draws national attention to childhood nutrition and school lunch programs during a designated week. It's a ceremonial declaration that expresses the President's position on the importance of school meals for children's health and academic success, particularly noting that one in three children in the nation is overweight or obese. The proclamation does not create new programs or spending but encourages awareness of existing nutrition efforts.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This proclamation designates "Proclamation 9345-National School Lunch Week, 2015" — a ceremonial observance that brings national attention to school lunch. Presidents have issued ceremonial proclamations since George Washington, and they fall squarely within the executive tradition. They do not create new law, direct federal spending, or impose legal obligations on citizens.
Ceremonial proclamations like this one are purely declaratory. They express the sentiment of the President on behalf of the nation, drawing public awareness to causes or communities. They require no congressional approval and face no constitutional challenges.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 Proclamation 9345—National School Lunch Week, 2015 October 9, 2015 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation America's schools strive to empower students with the tools and learning opportunities they need to pursue a tomorrow of endless possibility. In addition to serving as critical foundations for an education, schools are often the only stable source of health and nutrition for many of our children. The National School Lunch Program does more than simply provide students with one of our most basic human needs—it gives them the strength to focus on reaching for their greatest aspirations, rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from. During National School Lunch Week, we rededicate ourselves to safeguarding our Nation's future by providing our children with the support and nourishment they need to maintain healthy lifestyles, and we thank the school administrators, educators, and cafeteria workers who, alongside devoted parents, caregivers, and guardians, work together to achieve this goal. By signing the National School Lunch Act in 1946, President Harry Truman recognized the tremendous role food security plays in the academic and overall success of America's youth. Th