CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE

February 23, 1966

Page 3868

REDUCTION OF SCHOOL MILK PROGRAM

Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I wish at this time to voice my opposition to any reduction in or elimination of the school milk program.

The special milk program for children was first enacted in 1954 for the purpose of making available for children milk which otherwise would be purchased by the Government as dairy products in an effort to support milk prices for dairy farmers.

During the 12-year period that the program has been in operation it has provided a substantial fluid milk market for farmers. Last year, for example, 1.6 billion pounds of milk was used in the special milk program for children, and all of it was marketed through commercial channels. This program therefore is an important public program because it provides the basis for better nutrition among our children and because it instills in our children good nutrition habits.

This program has been well received in each of the 50 States. The use of the program has grown with each succeeding year it has been in operation. Our school system, day camps, and child care centers have made the school milk program an important part of their own programs, and they have come to depend upon it for the benefit of the children under their care.

Today, more than ever before, we need a strong nation. Our strength must be maintained through our children -- the leaders of tomorrow. To insure their potential, these children must be physically sound. One important way to develop healthy bodies is by a proper diet. Moreover, good nutrition relates to good academic performance.

The cutback in the school milk program from $103 million to $21 million is a drastic reduction of about 80 percent. Public schools, summer camps, orphanages and other nonprofit institutions providing care and training for children would suffer.

Under the recommended budget, 700 Maine schools and 85 nonprofit summer camps would be deprived of the benefits of the milk program. The States would be hard pressed to provide the necessary funds to subsidize their surplus milk, and I am sure would be unable to meet the costs of a school milk program.

The Federal Government wishes to continue in the rehabilitation of the mentally retarded, in fighting juvenile delinquency, and in its war against poverty. It should not cripple the milk program which adds to the health of the individual child and the security of our Nation's future.