STATEMENT OF HON. VANCE HARTKE, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA Mr. Chairman, the contribution of the special milk program to the health and well-being of the Nation's schoolchildren is incalculable. I most strongly urge that the most effective measures possible be taken to insure the continuation and the expansion of this eminently worthwhile program. I believe that S. 2921, a bill introduced by my distinguished colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Proxmire, and of which I am a cosponsor, better guarantees the future success of the program than does the bill presently under consideration, S. 3467. However, I certainly want to support whatever improvement can be made legislatively. The stated purpose of the special milk program is to increase the consumption of fluid milk by the Nation's children through a program of Federal reimbursements to schools and other child-care institutions, which are thus enabled to offer the children milk at reduced pricesin some cases free. Since its inception in 1955, the program has provided low-cost milk for literally millions of schoolchildren. The program has expanded its services with every year of its operation. At its inception, 41,094 schools participated; now, in 1966, an estimated 93,000 of the Nation's schools, summer camps, and child-care institutions are able to serve milk at reduced prices-close to 3 million half pints in 1965 alone. The inestimably great contribution of the special milk program to the welfare of the Nation's schoolchildren, the program's continued steady growth, and its demonstrable nationwide popularity all militate against its being jeopardized by insecurity of continuation or by inadequate funding. Yet I fear that both are likely if section 13 of S. 3467 is adopted as it now stands. Section 13 would extend the program for only 4 years and would place a ceiling of $100 million on program appropriations. Given the program's present steady expansion rate, such a ceiling could sound its death knell. Already, in 1966, the present appropriation is insufficient fully to reimburse the schools taking part. The reimbursement rate was reduced to 95 percent in 1965 and fell further to 90 percent in 1966, with total estimated costs for reimbursement and administration topping $99 million. Whether the program can continue to function at its present level of effectiveness with the ceiling suggested in S. 3467 is therefore an issue of considerable concern. In view of these considerations, I most urgently request the committee's favorable consideration of S. 2921, which came before the committee in May of this year. S. 2921 would make the special milk program permanent and guarantee a minimum appropriation of $105 million in 1967, scaling upward to $120 million in 1970. With a permanent program, and appropriations guaranteed along the guidelines advocated by the distinguished Senator from Wisconsin, the continued effectiveness of the present program would be assured. I learned with great pleasure of the distinguished Secretary of the Agriculture's recent statement in support of removing the appropriations ceiling and of establishing the program on a permanent basisprovisions both provided for in S. 2921. I concur with the observations of the Secretary on this matter. I urge the committee's favorable consideration of the other major provisions of S. 3467-the pilot breakfast program and the nonfood assistance program. The first would provide funds for establishing breakfast programs in schools drawing pupils from needy areas; the second would provide funds to assist schools in needy areas to establish and maintain food programs. In my own State of Indiana, there were in 1960 better than 76,000 children who could hope to benefit from these programs if they are enacted. Both the breakfast and the nonfood assistance programs are much needed steps in the direction of assuring that no schoolchild face the unhappy problem of attempting to learn on an empty stomach. O ADMINISTRATION LAWS HEARING BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY EIGHTY-NINTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION ON S. 2822 A BILL TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS THEREUNDER, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES FEBRUARY 24, 1966 Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY ALLEN J. ELLENDER, Louisiana, Chairman SPESSARD L. HOLLAND, Florida B. EVERETT JORDAN, North Carolina JOSEPH M. MONTOYA, New Mexico GEORGE D. AIKEN, Vermont COTYS M. MOUSER, Chief Clerk SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURAL CREDIT AND RURAL ELECTRIFICATION HERMAN E. TALMADGE, Georgia, Chairman SPESSARD L. HOLLAND, Florida JOHN SHERMAN COOPER, Kentucky |