65
THE SENATE                           S.C.R. NO.            
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                    SENATE  CONCURRENT
                        RESOLUTION
  URGING THE STATE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION
    AND THE HAWAII SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE TO EXTEND THE
    POSSIBILITIES FOR OPTIONAL VEGETARIAN MEALS IN HAWAII
    PUBLIC SCHOOLS.



 1        WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American
 2   Cancer Society, the American Dietetic Association, the American
 3   Heart Association, and the National Institutes of Health now
 4   recommend that there be greater emphasis in the American diet
 5   on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; and
 6   
 7        WHEREAS, all the essential organic nutrients in the human
 8   diet are synthesized by plants and microorganisms; and
 9   
10        WHEREAS, fruits and vegetables promote good health because
11   they contain fiber and essential nutrients, including vitamins
12   and minerals; are low in fat and calories, containing no
13   cholesterol; and they also contain phytochemicals that may
14   provide additional protection to reduce the risk of cancer and
15   heart disease; and
16   
17        WHEREAS, the Department of Health is striving to increase
18   public awareness of the importance of eating five or more
19   servings of fruits and vegetables a day for better health; and
20   
21        WHEREAS, increased consumption of locally grown fruits and
22   vegetables promotes a sustainable environment; and
23   
24        WHEREAS, a significant minority of Hawaii school children
25   either identify themselves as vegetarian or vegan (use no
26   animal products at all), or come from vegetarian or vegan
27   families; and
28   
29        WHEREAS, these children are at a disadvantage if no
30   vegetarian school lunch meals are offered in their respective
31   schools; now, therefore,
32   
33        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twentieth Legislature
34   of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2000, the House of
35   Representatives concurring, that state agencies, including the
36   Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, the Department

 
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                                  S.C.R. NO.            
                                                        
                                                        

 1   of Education, and the Director of the Hawaii School Food
 2   Service are encouraged to develop nutritionally sound menu
 3   plans that will provide optional vegan/vegetarian school
 4   lunches in such a way that all students will be assured
 5   nutritionally balanced diets, regardless of their food
 6   preferences and avoidances; and
 7   
 8        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
 9   Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health,
10   the Chairperson of Board of Agriculture, the Chairperson of the
11   Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the
12   Director of the Hawaii School Food Service.
13   
14 
15 
16 
17                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________