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Dear Mr. and Mrs. S****:

Thank you for contacting me about the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act. I appreciate hearing from you and share your concerns.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have supported federal nutrition programs that improve the health of children and adults and promote good nutrition. The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act would improve the quality of food in schools and expand the availability of nutritious meals and snacks to more children in school, child care, and after school programs.

According to Trust for America's Health, obesity rates are continuing to climb in every state in the country. Approximately 23 million children are obese or overweight and rates of obesity have nearly tripled since 1980. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that excess weight and obesity cost Americans more than $78 billion annually in aggregate health care expenditures. Offering healthy meal options in schools promotes healthy eating habits, deters obesity-related diseases, and saves the health care system money.

I will continue to support children's nutrition programs and work to expand nutrition assistance initiatives throughout the United States. I will keep your views in mind as the Senate debates this important issue.

Thank you again for your message. Please feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/ab

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