Woodley lobbies for school lunches

Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley (awesome photo by PG's Pete Diana) joined two other NFL players in writing to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this month in support of a bill that would reauthorize and improve federal school lunch programs. The bill has been reported out of the House Education and Labor Committee but awaits a floor vote, with time running short for the Democratic-controlled House. Woodley, whose letter is dated Nov. 15, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Mike Thomas and New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith lent their voices to the cause.

The Steelers, it seems, are becoming a politically active bunch, with Dan Rooney's ambassadorship and Hines Ward's service on a presidential commission. Full text of Woodley's letter follows:

Dear Speaker Pelosi,

You may know me as a Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, but today I'm writing to you in defense of somebody who's not on my team. I'm concerned because many children cannot find healthy options in their school lunch lines. You can help fix this problem by supporting the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act, H.R. 5504.

Many kids in the United States suffer from obesity and other diet-related health problems. All kids deserve access to nutritious foods that can help them maintain a healthy weight and cut the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.

This bill would help ensure that all schools can provide healthy options in their lunch lines. It also provides money for nutrition education and helps keep junk food out of school vending machines. If this bill is passed, kids will soon see more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods in their cafeterias.

Please stand up for children and support the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act. Healthy school lunches are crucial to the fight against childhood obesity.

Sincerely,

LaMarr Woodley