Congress Must Focus On Child Nutrition, Says Former World Bank Official

By Samira Sadeque - Talk Radio News Service

The Rev. David Beckmann, president of the organization Bread for the World, says Congress must reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, as well as take other steps to end poverty.

During a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Beckmann said that although poverty levels in the U.S. have slightly decreased over the last 30 years, more must be done.

“If countries as different as Bangladesh, Brazil and Britain can reduce poverty, it’s clearly possible in the USA.”

Noting the correlation between poverty and malnourishment, Beckmann implored the House to pass a child nutrition reauthorization bill. The bill, which passed through the Senate last month, would extend national child nutrition programs that are on track to expire at the end of this month.

The Reverend, an economist and ordained Lutheran Minister who has earned a reputation as being one the world’s most well-known advocates for hungry and poor people, lamented the fact that both bills contain flaws, but said the government has an obligation to improve children’s nutrition.

“We do not now have enough political oomph to achieve the changes for hungry and poor people that we should,” Beckmann said. “So I am calling on people, especially people who believe in God, to help change the politics of hunger.”

Beckmann and other supporters of the two bills have a powerful ally in Washington: First Lady Michelle Obama. As part of her “Let’s Move” campaign, Mrs. Obama has put forth a comprehensive plan for child nutrition that includes reforming school lunch menus nationwide.

The House is not scheduled to vote on the bill this week.

Vilsack Sets Out Top Priorities for USDA

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service

In a conference call today, Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack set out the key areas the American people can expect the USDA to focus on, under the new Obama administration.

The top priorities he identified included promoting a sustainable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply for all Americans and people around the world. He further stated that combating childhood obesity, enhanced healthy nutrition, and supporting research in the health care debate would be a key focus. Vilsack also announced that the USDA will work on achieving Obama's target to eliminate child hunger by 2015.

Vilsack identified that another key area the USDA will be working on under the new administration would be research development in additional bio-fuels. The USDA will support the survival of the bio-fuel industry whilst promoting policies that will speed up the development of second and third generation feedstocks for these bio-fuels and in turn increase the potential to secure America's energy security and independence. He will lead the USDA in it's efforts to adopt management practices that promote and provide clean air, clean water and wildlife habitat. The USDA aim to support the profitability of farmers and ranchers, developing markets that reward them for carbon sequestration and eliminating greenhouse gases.

Vilsack concluded by stating that: "We have some serious challenges and many opportunities to pursue here at the USDA. I am looking forward to working with the dedicated employees of the USDA and all the departments to fulfill President Obama's desire of effecting change, promoting a stronger, more vibrant and more economically viable royal America".

As economic crisis rises, so does global hunger

The economic crisis has led to 100 million more people starving worldwide according to David Beckman, President of the Bread for the World Institute. In addition to that, Joy Phumahi, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank said that 44 million more people are suffering from malnutrition as a result of the worldwide financial crisis.

At a presentation held by the Bread for the World Institute, Phumaphi said "all countries are in harm's way." In order to try and help global poverty and hunger, Phumaphi felt the U.S. must financially assist in improving health, agriculture, and infrastructure. She also stated that the U.S. must invest in better education abroad. Phumaphi noted that children leaving school as a result of the financial crisis "rarely return to the classroom." She did acknowledge that there had been positives in poverty globally, especially in Africa, but this crisis had left those improvements "at risk."

Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services, said that any foreign assistance should be done in the interest of the poor. He also claimed that foreign assistance has become too "fragmented," and collaboration should be a priority in improving foreign assistance. He also felt it is "critical" that civil society agencies be used to help assist government in providing relief to poverty-stricken communities globally.

In a report released by the Bread for the World Institute, the institute states U.S. foreign assistance reform should include specific goals of poverty reduction worldwide, partnerships with countries receiving assistance to meet long-term goals, and closer coordination with other international donors worldwide.

Poverty predicted to rise

Robert Greenstein, Founder and Executive Director of the research organization The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, announced the center’s predictions on the recent economic crisis’ impact on poverty in the U.S.

“With unemployment projected to reach 9%, the number of people in poverty will rise by between 7.5 and 10.3 million. The number of poor children will increase by between 2.6 and 3.3 million,” said Greenstein during a telephone conference.

The center also predicted an increase in 4.5-6.3 million of those within “deep” poverty, wherein people live below half of the poverty line, marked at around 8,300 dollars a year for a family of three.

“The number of children living in deep poverty will rise between 1.5 and 2 million,” said Greenstein.

Greenstein warned that the center’s predictions may be too hopeful since the economic safety nets provided in previous recessions for the very poorest citizens have been eroded as a result of massive cuts in unemployment insurance and other assistance programs.

According to Greenstein, there are several steps that policy makers can take to mitigate these predictions.

“Helping struggling families is among the most effective stimulus measures that can be taken on a dollar for dollar basis because it [puts] resources in the hands of people who are most likely to spend all of those resources rather than saving them,” said Greenstein.

New York appeals to Congress in the face of budget cuts

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) said that New York's difficult cuts will leave public services suffering. "It's important for the federal government to step in across the country and address legitimate needs for state governments," Rep. King said. According to King, programs such as Medicaid, a healthcare program helping low-income familie and individuals, will experience severe damage from additional cuts, which in the end affects people in need of healthcare. King highlighted the importance of protecting and expand the economic relief packages since he expects poverty to increase.

King also claims that the infrastructure, such as employment and general business activity in New York will also be negatively affected because of budget cuts. King also highlighted the importance of the second economic stimulus legislation in the U.S. Congress to go forward, as this will help New York and the rest of the nation to a better economy.