[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 271 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 271

    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Community Gardening 
                            Awareness Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 28, 2017

Ms. Duckworth submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
         the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Community Gardening 
                            Awareness Week.

Whereas countless families in the United States live with hunger every day and 
        do not have access to fresh produce in their neighborhoods;
Whereas community gardens conserve limited resources and promote sustainability;
Whereas community gardens provide an important and nutritious source of fresh 
        produce donations for local food pantries and social service agencies;
Whereas community gardens enable individuals to gain control over the quality, 
        variety, and cost of their food supply;
Whereas community gardening encourages individuals of diverse cultural and 
        economic backgrounds to work together, foster a better sense of 
        community, and improve the quality of their lives;
Whereas community-based youth and school gardening programs encourage personal 
        self-esteem and healthy attitudes toward learning;
Whereas community gardening and greening projects provide a catalyst for 
        neighborhood and community development;
Whereas community gardens reduce city heat and preserve open spaces for present 
        and future generations;
Whereas community gardens and other green spaces--

    (1) provide a more livable environment in municipalities throughout the 
United States; and

    (2) present a positive local image to the residents of, and visitors 
to, a community;

Whereas community gardens help provide local food banks with fresh produce for 
        individuals in need; and
Whereas the last week of September 2017 is an appropriate week to designate as 
        ``National Community Gardening Awareness Week'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of National 
Community Gardening Awareness Week, including--
            (1) raising awareness of the importance of community 
        gardens and urban agriculture;
            (2) improving access to public land for the development of 
        sustainable food projects;
            (3) encouraging further growth of community gardens and 
        other opportunities that increase food self-reliance, improve 
        fitness, contribute to a cleaner environment, and enhance 
        community development; and
            (4) supporting cooperative efforts among Federal, State, 
        and local governments and nonprofit organizations--
                    (A) to promote the development and expansion of 
                community gardens; and
                    (B) to increase the accessibility of community 
                gardens to disadvantaged population groups.
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