82R12342 BPG-D
By: Lucio S.C.R. No. 26
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, issued by
the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of
Health and Human Services, calls for greater consumption of fruits
and vegetables, but the high cost of fresh produce discourages
participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from
following this recommendation; and
WHEREAS, Fruits and vegetables are associated with reduced
risk of many chronic diseases and provide a number of nutrients that
are under-consumed in the U.S., including vitamins A, C, and K, as
well as potassium, fiber, and magnesium; moreover, they are
relatively low in calories; the USDA accordingly recommends that
Americans fill half their plates with these foods at every meal or
snack, which means most Americans should double their current
consumption of fruits and vegetables; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, the inflation-adjusted cost of fresh
fruits and vegetables rose nearly 40 percent over a 15-year period,
while the cost of nutrient-poor, high-calorie "junk" foods has
actually declined in recent years; for those with limited means,
the need to stretch their dollars may override the desire to make
healthy food choices; and
WHEREAS, The difficult economic climate has increased the
number of Americans receiving SNAP benefits, formerly known as food
stamps; as of January 2011, 43 million people, or one in seven
Americans, were participating in SNAP, and about half of them were
children; and
WHEREAS, Nearly one-third of all children and adolescents in
the United States are overweight or obese, and these youngsters are
increasingly developing "adult" diseases, such as type 2 diabetes
and hypertension; furthermore, they are at increased risk for heart
disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, and other serious chronic
conditions; medical expenses for obese children are approximately
three times higher than for other children, and childhood obesity
is estimated to cost the nation $14 billion in direct health
expenses; and
WHEREAS, In order to reduce the incidence of obesity-related
diseases and stem rising health care costs, it is crucial that all
Americans have access to foods that make up a healthy diet, but SNAP
benefits are currently insufficient to allow participants to make
fruits and vegetables the primary component of their meals; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to ensure that
benefits provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
are adequate for the purchase of a healthy diet; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the Senate and speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, to the secretary of
the United States Department of Agriculture, and to all the members
of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this
resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to
the Congress of the United States of America.