“One in four, yes, one in four children go to bed hungry every night. And I’m not talking about in Africa, China, or India. I’m talking about one in four children who live right here in the United States going to sleep without adequate nutrition”, said Rep. Payne.
On September 18, 2013 Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for one minute regarding the Republican proposal to cut food stamp assistance to needy Americans.
“Mr. Speaker, I’m not one to go on and on about a lot of statistics, but as we debate the nutrition bill, there is one that struck a chord with me. One in four, yes, one in four children go to bed hungry every night. And I’m not talking about in Africa, China, or India. I’m talking about one in four children who live right here in the United States going to sleep without adequate nutrition.”
“For me and the 1 million New Jerseyans on SNAP, this is a complete and total outrage. We live in the greatest country on Earth, yet 17 million children in this country do not get the nutrition they need”, he said.
“Last year alone, SNAP lifted 4 million people out of poverty. The bill on the floor this week, which would cut SNAP by nearly $40 billion, will only ensure that these people are pushed right back into poverty. That’s why I strongly oppose the nutrition assistance bill; and I urge my colleagues to examine their conscience and remember that, when they cast their vote, they are casting their vote for or against one in four children who still go to bed at night hungry”, said Rep. Payne (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov).
Rep Payne serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, the Small Business Committee and the Subcommitte on Economic Growth, Tax, and Access to Capital.