Source:  Press Release, 10/6/10

Dear Friends,

During this time of economic challenges, it is important that Congress not adjourn until two important issues have been finalized. First, we need to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts so that there are no tax increases on employers who provide much needed jobs and that there are tax breaks for middle and working class families who need the help and the jobs. Second, unemployment benefits for those that are out of work need to be extended. I urge the Administration and Congressional Leadership to keep working and find an agreement that will keep Southeastern North Carolina and the United States moving forward.

With my support, the House passed S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. This act supports healthy food options for our children’s school lunches. Providing our children with healthy food is critical to their success in the classroom, their physical fitness, and their health. This bill provides $4.5 billion in new investments over the next 10 years all of which is fully paid and does not add a single dime to the deficit.

Furthermore, this legislation will:
1. improve the nutritional quality of meals to promote children’s health and reduce childhood obesity;
2. increase access to child nutrition programs to reduce childhood hunger; and
3. protect U.S. taxpayers by strengthening program management and integrity. One landmark provision in the bill will lead to significantly reducing the availability of high-calorie junk foods in school vending machines, hallways and elsewhere on the school grounds – by requiring the Department of Agriculture to develop science-based nutrition standards for all foods that are sold on a school campus during the school day.
In addition, this bill also helps address a serious national security issue, according to a group of retired military officers named "Mission: Readiness." The group strongly endorses the bill stating, "We are deeply troubled by the difficulty that child obesity is placing on our nation’s ability to sustain a high level of military readiness…Obesity is the now the leading medical reason why young Americans today are unable to qualify for the Armed Forces."

Our children are our future and this bill is a step in the right direction to help them lead happy, healthy, long lives.

Sincerely,

U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre
Representing the 7th District of North Carolina