HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 94-4705, by Representatives Rayburn, Foreman, Lisk, Shin, Ballard and Anderson

     WHEREAS, The apple is a symbol of health, and Washington state is famous for producing the finest apples in the world; and

     WHEREAS, To address the critical decline in the condition of children's health and reinforce the healthy image of Washington apples, the Washington state apple growers have developed "Healthy Choices for America," an umbrella program targeted at improving the health and nutrition of all Americans; and

     WHEREAS, One component is "Healthy Choices for Kids," a comprehensive nutrition education program and the first to integrate the 1000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services; and

     WHEREAS, Apples are provided free by the growers of Washington apples to teachers nation-wide, and more than three million children participate in the program each school year; and

     WHEREAS, "Healthy Choices for Kids" fills a void in elementary education since there is currently no national nutrition education requirement for elementary schools in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, "Healthy Choices for Kids" is written by nutrition, fitness, and curriculum experts, and before publication, each kit is reviewed by an advisory board, learner-verified in classrooms, and revised to incorporate teacher suggestions; and

     WHEREAS, The program encourages parental interaction, and Spanish take home materials and bilingual cookbooks were tested last year in eastern Washington schools before broader distribution this year; and

     WHEREAS, Nationally in 1993-94, 27 grocery store chains "adopted" schools and offered "learn-to-shop tours" so children could apply what they learned in the classroom to a real-life situation; and

     WHEREAS, In 1993 "Healthy Choices for Kids" was featured as the premier nutrition education program at the National Symposium on Urban School Reform, Health and Safety in Washington, D.C., convened to develop a national blue print for urban schools to address the state of children's health and safety; and

     WHEREAS, The program has been endorsed by the American Institute for Cancer Research, the Council of Great City Schools, the Boston Public Schools, the National Food Service Management Institute, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, and the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs; and

     WHEREAS, The Washington Apple Commission presented "Healthy Choices for Kids" to USDA Secretary Mike Espy and, in testimony before USDA hearings on school feeding programs, offered it as our state's contribution to USDA's initiative for overall classroom and cafeteria nutrition instructional partnerships; and

     WHEREAS, Great distinction and exposure for the state of Washington has resulted from the 67,000,000 impressions featuring the program in print, television, and radio coverage nation-wide since 1991; and

     WHEREAS, National media coverage has included the Associated Press, CNN, the Packer, Produce News, U.S. Farm Report, USA Today, The Today Show, Child Magazine, L.A. Times, Washington Post, Produce Business, School Food Service Journal, and Supermarket News; and

     WHEREAS, In 1993, the regional and local media exposure in 20 cities featured more than 200 stories including those by the Chicago Tribune, New News Day, San Diego Union-Tribune, the Atlantic Constitution, Detroit News, and the Denver Post;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington honor the Washington Apple Commission, the number one agricultural commodity in the state generating more than one billion dollars to the state's economy, for its commitment to the health of children, for stepping in to fill a void with national nutrition education programs that target the consumers of tomorrow, and for educating children to develop healthy eating habits to ensure our future leaders will understand the importance of diet to their overall well-being; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Washington State Apple Commission.