[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 218 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 218

Designating October 16, 1993, and October 16, 1994, each as World Food 
                                  Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 24, 1993

    Mr. Gilman introduced the following joint resolution; which was 
       referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
Designating October 16, 1993, and October 16, 1994, each as World Food 
                                  Day.

Whereas hunger and malnutrition remain daily facts of life for hundreds of 
        millions of people in the world;
Whereas the children of the world suffer the most serious effects of hunger and 
        malnutrition, with millions of children dying each year from hunger-
        related illness and disease, and many others suffering permanent 
        physical or mental impairment because of vitamin or protein 
        deficiencies;
Whereas the United States has a long tradition of demonstrating humanitarian 
        concern for the hungry and malnourished people of the world;
Whereas there is growing concern in the United States and in other countries for 
        environmental protection and the dangers posed to future food supply 
        from misuse and overuse of land and water, loss of biological diversity 
        and erosion of genetic resources on a global scale;
Whereas the world community increasingly calls upon the United States to resolve 
        food problems stemming from local conflicts and civil unrest--such as in 
        Somalia and the former Yugoslavia--calling for the use of peacekeeping 
        forces as well as the provision of emergency food supplies;
Whereas the United States plays a major role in the development and 
        implementation of interregional food and agricultural trade standards 
        and practices, and recognizes the positive role that food trade can play 
        in enhancing human nutrition and in the alleviation of hunger;
Whereas although progress has been made in reducing the incidence of hunger and 
        malnutrition in the United States, certain groups, notably Native 
        Americans, migrant workers, the elderly, the homeless, and children, 
        remain vulnerable to malnutrition and related diseases;
Whereas our Government is now preparing a National Plan of Action for nutrition 
        wellbeing in accordance with the commitment made at the recent 
        International Conference on Nutrition;
Whereas the conservation of natural resources, the preservation of biological 
        diversity and strong public and private programs of agricultural 
        research are required for the United States to remain the largest 
        surplus food producer in the world and to continue to aid the hungry and 
        malnourished people of the world;
Whereas the United States is and must remain the world leader in the development 
        of biotechnology aimed at enhancing the improved production, safety and 
        quality of the world food supply;
Whereas the Congress of the United States is aware of and strongly supports 
        plans and preparations for the International Conference on Plant Genetic 
        Resources planned for 1995;
Whereas participation by private voluntary organizations and businesses, working 
        with national governments and the international community, is essential 
        in the search for ways to increase food production in developing 
        countries and improve food distribution to hungry and malnourished 
        people;
Whereas the member nations of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the 
        United Nations unanimously designated October 16 of each year as World 
        Food Day because of the need to increase public awareness of world 
        hunger problems;
Whereas past observances of World Food Day have been supported by proclamations 
        by the Congress, the President, the 50 States, the District of Columbia, 
        the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of 
        the United States, and by programs of the Department of Agriculture, 
        other Federal departments and agencies, and the governments and peoples 
        of more than 150 other nations;
Whereas 450 private voluntary organizations and thousands of community leaders 
        are participating in the planning of World Food Day observances in 1993, 
        and a growing number of these organizations and leaders are using this 
        day as a focal point for year-round programs; and
Whereas the people of the United States can express their concern for the plight 
        of the hungry and malnourished people throughout the world by study and 
        action and by fasting and donating food and money: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That October 16, 1993, and 
October 16, 1994, are each designated as ``World Food Day'', and the 
President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling 
upon the people of the United States to observe World Food Day with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities, including worship services, 
fasting, education endeavors, and the establishment of year-around food 
and health programs and policies.

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