|
||||
|
In this Update:
Returning Whole Milk to Schools
Last June, I joined my Pennsylvania Senate colleagues in voting to approve a resolution urging Congress to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. Whole milk provides 13 essential vitamins to help build strong bones and maintain a healthy immune system. The evidence is overwhelming that both 2% and whole milk should be offered to our students in schools. We applaud the recent enactment of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act at the federal level, which allows U.S. schools to now offer whole and 2% milk as options for students, in addition to the current reduced-fat, low-fat and fat-free milk. The bill was in response to enactment of federal legislation in 2010 that permitted only low-fat and fat-free milk options in public schools. Within the first two years of the law taking effect, 1.2 million fewer students drank milk with their lunches. Pennsylvania ranks second in the number of dairy farms and eighth in total milk production, making this change a great positive for children while also supporting our dairy farmers! Jan. 31 Submission Deadline for Student Anti-Litter Contest
Students in grades K–6 have until Jan. 31 to submit entries for the latest Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful “Litter Hawk” anti-litter campaign. This year’s theme is Celebrate America250 – Keep It Beautiful, incorporating the nation’s semiquincentennial. Students can craft their message through art, writing or video. Winners will be announced in April and will be invited to take part in a Capitol ceremony. Contest details and application can be found here. Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties Host America250PA Kick-Off Events
2026 is our Nation’s Semiquincentennial! We’ve spent years gearing up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding and the time has finally come! This month, counties across the commonwealth are hosting events to kick-off a year full of festivities. Each celebrates local history, community pride, and the shared story that connects us all. We were glad to attend events in Perry and Dauphin counties and are looking forward to Cumberland County’s kick-off event, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29, 1-3 p.m. in the historic courthouse, 2 Courthouse Square, Carlisle. All are welcome but reservations are requested. RSVP here. I hope to see you there! National Blood Donor Month
The American Red Cross reports a blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply, drawing down the blood supply by about 35% over the past month. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and type O, A negative and B negative blood. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving relies on friends and neighbors making donations. Blood drives are taking place across our area and scheduling an appointment to donate is easy! Just enter your zip code here. Your donation will make a difference! One pint can save three lives!
If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. |
||||
|
||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorrothman.com | Privacy Policy |
