36
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.R. NO.              
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     HOUSE RESOLUTION
  URGING THE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, AND EDUCATION
    AND THE HAWAII SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE TO EXTEND THE
    POSSIBILITIES FOR OPTIONAL VEGETARIAN MEALS IN HAWAII
    PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 


 1        WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American
 2   Cancer Society, the American Dietetic Association, the American
 3   Heart Association, and the National Institutes of Health now
 4   recommend that the human diet be centered on plant foods and
 5   that the intake of animal source food be minimized; and
 6   
 7        WHEREAS, all the essential organic nutrients in the human
 8   diet are synthesized by plants and microorganisms, and not by
 9   animals; and
10   
11        WHEREAS, fruits and vegetables promote good health because
12   they contain fiber and essential nutrients, including vitamins
13   and minerals; are low in fat and calories, containing no
14   cholesterol; and they also contain phytochemicals that may
15   provide additional protection to reduce the risk of cancer and
16   heart disease; and
17   
18        WHEREAS, the Department of Health is striving to increase
19   public awareness of the importance of eating five or more
20   servings of fruits and vegetables a day for better health; and
21   
22        WHEREAS, increased consumption of locally grown fruits and
23   vegetables promotes a sustainable environment; and
24   
25        WHEREAS, a significant minority of Hawaii school children
26   either identify themselves as vegetarian or vegan (use no
27   animal products at all), or come from vegetarian or vegan
28   families; and
29   
30        WHEREAS, these children are at a discriminatory
31   disadvantage if no vegetarian school lunch meals are offered in
32   their respective schools; now, therefore,
33   
34        BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
35   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
36   of 2000, that the Department of Health, Department of
37   Agriculture, the Department of Education, and the Director of
38   the Hawaii School Food Service are encouraged to develop
39   nutritionally sound menu plans that will provide optional

 
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                                  H.R. NO.              
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1   vegan/vegetarian school lunches in such a way that all students
 2   will be assured of nutritionally balanced diets, regardless of
 3   their food preferences and avoidances; and
 4   
 5        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
 6   Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, the
 7   Chairperson of Board of Agriculture, the Chairperson of the
 8   Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the
 9   Director of the Hawaii School Food Service.
10 
11 
12 
13                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________