SR83, As Adopted by Senate, September 6, 2017

            Senator Hansen offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 83.

            A resolution recognizing September 2017, as Family Meals Month.

            Whereas, Family Meals Month is a national effort to encourage families to pledge to share more meals at home per week; and

            Whereas, Family meals are fun, affordable and healthier than other dining options; and 

            Whereas, 92 percent of U.S. consumers say they want to eat healthier meals, yet only 30 percent of American families share dinner every night; and

            Whereas, Conversations around dinner tables establish closer relationships and increase parental involvement; and

            Whereas, Regular family meals are linked to kids earning higher grades, improving self-esteem and resisting negative peer pressure; and

            Whereas, With each additional family meal shared each week, adolescents are less likely to show symptoms of violence, depression and suicide, less likely to use or abuse drugs or run away, and less likely to engage in risky behaviors; and

            Whereas, Children who grow up sharing family meals are more likely to exhibit prosocial behavior as adults, such as sharing, fairness, and respect; and

            Whereas, Kids and teens who share meals with their family three or more times per week are significantly less likely to be overweight, more likely to eat healthy foods and less likely to have eating disorders; and

            Whereas, Ninety percent of supermarkets offer fresh, prepared foods, 95 percent offer cooking demos, 86 percent offer cooking classes, and 100 percent offer recipes and meal ideas; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That September 2017, be hereby recognized as Family Meals Month; and be it further

            Resolved, That the people of the state of Michigan are encouraged to add one more family meal per week during this month and throughout the year.