Proclamation 9518-National School Lunch Week, 2016
Issued 2016-10-07 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued a proclamation designating October 9-15, 2016, as National School Lunch Week, marking the 70th anniversary of the National School Lunch Program. This is a ceremonial declaration that draws public attention to school nutrition programs. The proclamation does not create new laws or spending—it simply recognizes a week of observance that Congress authorized back in 1962 and calls on Americans to join activities supporting children's health and well-being.
The proclamation highlights that more than 30 million children depend on the National School Lunch Program daily, with nearly 22 million receiving free or reduced-price meals during the school year. It acknowledges school nutrition professionals, educators, and administrators who work in this program. The proclamation also references existing initiatives like the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and updated nutrition standards that schools are already meeting.
This type of presidential proclamation is purely ceremonial and falls within a long executive tradition dating back to George Washington. It requires no congressional approval and imposes no legal obligations on anyone—it simply expresses the President's sentiment on behalf of the nation and encourages public awareness of an important program serving America's schoolchildren.
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 9518-National School Lunch Week, 2016" — 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, 2016 Proclamation 9518—National School Lunch Week, 2016 October 7, 2016 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Seventy years ago, President Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act, declaring "Nothing is more important in our national life than the welfare of our children, and proper nourishment comes first in attaining this welfare." This Act created the National School Lunch Program and provided lunch to 7 million children in its first year—today, more than 30 million children depend on it each day. As we observe the 70th anniversary of this program, we recommit to ensuring access to proper nutrition throughout the school day for all our young people so that they may pursue their education and chase their dreams. Since the beginning of my Administration, I have worked to build on the legacy of the National School Lunch Program. In 2010, the Congress passed and I signed into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which increased the number of students who could get subsidized or free school meals and improved the quality of school meals. For children from low-income households, meals provided by the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program may be their