[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 397 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 397

  Designating October 16, 2023, and October 16, 2024, as ``World Food 
                                 Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 4, 2023

   Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Moran, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Boozman) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating October 16, 2023, and October 16, 2024, as ``World Food 
                                 Day''.

Whereas hunger and malnutrition are daily facts of life for hundreds of millions 
        of people around the world;
Whereas women and children suffer the most serious effects of hunger and 
        malnutrition;
Whereas millions of children die each year from hunger-related illness and 
        disease;
Whereas many people suffer permanent physical or mental impairment because of 
        vitamin or protein deficiencies;
Whereas those in rural areas experience disproportionate levels of hunger;
Whereas the severity and frequency of food insecurity remained unacceptably high 
        in 2022, represented by--

    (1) the 2,400,000,000 people, nearly 30 percent of the global 
population, who experienced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2022, an 
increase of 391,000,000 compared to 2019;

    (2) the more than 3,100,000,000 people, over 40 percent of the global 
population, who were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2022, an increase 
of 134,000,000 compared to 2019; and

    (3) the approximately 735,000,000 people who faced hunger in 2022, an 
increase of 122,000,000 compared to 2019;

Whereas the United States has a long tradition of demonstrating humanitarian 
        concern for the hungry and malnourished people of the world;
Whereas there is an ever-increasing concern in the United States and in other 
        countries about threats to the future food supply, including--

    (1) misuse and overuse of land and water;

    (2) loss of biological diversity;

    (3) erosion of genetic resources on a global scale; and

    (4) transboundary pests and diseases, such as the desert locust for 
plants and anthrax for livestock;

Whereas the world community increasingly and consistently calls upon the United 
        States to resolve food problems stemming from natural- and human-made 
        disasters by providing humanitarian assistance;
Whereas the United States--

    (1) plays a major role in the development and implementation of 
international food and agricultural trade standards and practices; and

    (2) recognizes the positive role that the global food trade can play in 
enhancing human nutrition and alleviating hunger;

Whereas, although progress has been made in reducing the incidence of hunger and 
        malnutrition in the United States, certain groups remain vulnerable to 
        malnutrition and related diseases;
Whereas the conservation of natural resources, the preservation of biological 
        diversity, and strong public and private agricultural research programs 
        are required for the United States to--

    (1) remain food secure;

    (2) continue to aid the hungry and malnourished people of the world;

    (3) assist in building a more resilient global food system; and

    (4) preserve and sustain our forests, land, oceans, and waterways;

Whereas the United States is a world leader in the development of agricultural 
        innovation and technology aimed at enhancing the improved production, 
        safety, and quality of the world food supply, and the United States must 
        continue to maintain that role;
Whereas 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 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (referred to 
        in this preamble as the ``FAO'') is mandated to lead global efforts to 
        address food and nutrition security issues;
Whereas the member nations of the FAO have unanimously designated October 16 of 
        each year as ``World Food Day'';
Whereas the FAO has worked to organize activities and efforts on ``World Food 
        Day'' in more than 130 countries to promote awareness of and action for 
        people suffering from hunger and malnutrition;
Whereas past observances of ``World Food Day'' have been supported--

    (1) by proclamations of 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

    (2) by programs of the Department of Agriculture and other Federal 
departments and agencies;

Whereas private voluntary organizations and community leaders are participating 
        in planning ``World Food Day'' observances in 2023 and 2024, and a 
        growing number of these organizations and leaders are using ``World Food 
        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 hungry and malnourished people throughout the world by studying, 
        advocating, and taking action: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates October 16, 2023, and October 16, 2024, as 
        ``World Food Day''; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        the days with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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