Reps. Hune, Adamini, Brandenburg, Brown, Dennis, Ehardt, Gillard, Lipsey, Meyer, Murphy, Phillips, Sak, Shaffer, Stallworth and Tobocman offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 202.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to support phasing out the reduced-cost lunch program to ensure that all children under 185 percent of the poverty line receive free meals.

            Whereas, The federal nutrition programs, including the school lunch and breakfast programs, are important to the health and education of the children of Michigan; and

            Whereas, Reduced-price school meals are offered, in participating schools, to children with family income between 130 percent of the poverty line and 185 percent of the poverty line; and

            Whereas, Many families in the reduced-price income category are finding it difficult to pay the reduced fee, and for some families the fee is an insurmountable barrier to participation.  The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides free benefits to all participants with family income below 185 percent of poverty; and

            Whereas, Legislation has been introduced in Congress to phase out the reduced-price meal program, harmonizing school meals with WIC; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we support the reauthorization of all federal child nutrition programs and memorialize the Congress of the United States to eliminate the reduced-price school meals program and provide free meals for all children with incomes below 185 percent of the poverty level; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.