THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY ROAE, VULAKOVICH, READSHAW, ROCK, BOBACK, DENLINGER, FLECK, GABLER, GROVE, HARRIS, HUTCHINSON, MILLER, MURPHY, MURT, PICKETT AND SONNEY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 8, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Memorializing the Congress of the United States to take action

to safeguard the health of families who are eligible for food

stamps by changing the way the Food Stamps Program is

regulated.

WHEREAS, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

(SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamps Program, is

administered in Pennsylvania by the Department of Public Welfare

with guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA); and

WHEREAS, The program is designed to supply people of low

income with adequate resources to feed their families each

month; and

WHEREAS, There are minimal limits as to what types of food

can be purchased through SNAP; and

WHEREAS, The levels of obesity, particularly in children, is

rising in this Commonwealth and nationwide; and

WHEREAS, People may need education to make healthier and more

cost-effective decisions about purchasing food; and

WHEREAS, The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

contains far more stringent guidelines to limit foods to only

those that are determined to be healthful for children; and

WHEREAS, WIC is also regulated by the USDA; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania

memorialize the Congress of the United States to take action to

safeguard the health of families who are eligible for food

stamps by changing the way the Food Stamps Program is regulated

so that it more closely tracks with the WIC Program in terms of

healthy choices for people; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

all members of Congress from Pennsylvania to make them aware of

our concern for the health of all Pennsylvanians.