Eva M. Clayton: “Hunger is an issue many in America would prefer to ignore. This amendment is about hunger. This amendment is about…”

“Hunger is an issue many in America would prefer to ignore. This amendment is about hunger. This amendment is about making sure all of our children have a hearty meal and a healthy start as they begin the school day. There is evidence of hunger in 3.6 percent of all households in America. Close to four million children are hungry. Fourteen million children--twenty percent of the population of children--live in food insecure homes. In food insecure homes, meals are skipped, or the size of meals is reduced. More than ten percent of all households in America are food insecure. Because there is such hunger and food insecurity, there is also infant mortality, growth stunting, iron deficiency, anemia, poor learning, and increased chances for disease. Because there is such hunger and food insecurity, the poor are more likely to remain poor, the hungry are more likely to remain hungry. It seems strange that we must fight for food for those who cannot fight for themselves. It really is time to stop picking on the poor. Less than 3 percent of the budget goes to feed the hungry. It is for those reasons we must soundly and solidly reject this ill-advised amendment.”