Bob Dole: “last year I gave my maiden speech on the issue of hunger. I believe now, just as I did then, that we must make a…”

“last year I gave my maiden speech on the issue of hunger. I believe now, just as I did then, that we must make a concerted effort to eradicate this problem. It is the silent enemy that lurks in too many American homes. I am not one to duck tough issues. And this is a problem that I know we can conquer with both sides of the aisle working together. There are a number of areas where one could focus in this effort, and the amendment I send to the desk represents a good first step toward strengthening the National School Lunch program which is very popular and effective. Under the current program, children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of poverty are eligible for free meals. Children from families with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of poverty are eligible for reduced price meals--charging no more than 40 cents per meal. This may seem like a nominal amount, but that is not what I am hearing in North Carolina and from folks around the country.”