Washington, D.C. —
The Senate Agriculture Committee today accepted Senator John Thune’s amendment to the Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Senator Thune’s amendment would set aside funding for research into hunger, obesity, and type 2 diabetes on Native American reservations and other tribal communities. The Agriculture Committee proceeded to pass the bill, clearing the way for the bill to be considered by the full Senate in the future.
“Improper nutrition is a major contributor to some of the chronic diseases that are too prevalent on our reservations,” said Thune. “I am committed to working with South Dakota’s tribal leaders and members to design programs to help children be healthier, both now and as adults.”
Senator Thune’s amendment specifies that a portion of the bill’s $10 million set aside for hunger research be directed to Native American nutrition research. The amendment also calls for at least one demonstration project to test innovative strategies to end childhood hunger to be done on a rural Native American reservation with a prevalent diabetes rate.
Video of Senator Thune introducing his amendment and the subsequent committee vote can be viewed here.
“Improper nutrition is a major contributor to some of the chronic diseases that are too prevalent on our reservations,” said Thune. “I am committed to working with South Dakota’s tribal leaders and members to design programs to help children be healthier, both now and as adults.”
Senator Thune’s amendment specifies that a portion of the bill’s $10 million set aside for hunger research be directed to Native American nutrition research. The amendment also calls for at least one demonstration project to test innovative strategies to end childhood hunger to be done on a rural Native American reservation with a prevalent diabetes rate.
Video of Senator Thune introducing his amendment and the subsequent committee vote can be viewed here.