[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WORLD FOOD DAY AND THE UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to call attention to 
the celebration of World Food Day on October 16th. I also rise to 
recognize the many successes achieved by the UN World Food Programme 
(WFP), the world's largest international food aid organization, over 
the past 18 years.
  The WFP provides humanitarian relief to the world's poorest and most 
downtrodden people by distributing food to those individuals who are 
the most vulnerable to malnutrition and famine, particularly women and 
children. Last year alone, the WFP fed over 52.9 million people, by 
transporting food to needy and malnourished families in 84 countries. 
The WFP also provides much needed assistance to the tens of millions of 
victims world-wide who have suffered through natural disasters, such as 
earthquakes, severe floods and drought. Moreover, the WFP has committed 
itself to ensuring peace and stability around the world by providing 
food to people in war-torn countries like Sudan and Rwanda. Finally, 
the WFP uses donated food for development activities such as paying 
individuals that replant forests in Ethiopia and providing nourishment 
to workers repairing dikes in Vietnam. These activities help developing 
countries build strong infrastructures and promote economic stability.
  With nowhere else to turn, the poorest of the world's poor have been 
able to find solace in the hard work and dedication of the WFP's many 
volunteers and employees.
  American citizens have a particular reason to be proud on World Food 
Day. The United States has committed itself to be a world leader in the 
global battle against hunger. The U.S. was a primary founder of the WFP 
and has consistently been the world's single largest donor of food to 
the world's poor.
  As World Food Day is celebrated this year, we can applaud the 
progress the U.N. World Food Programme has achieved and the compassion 
that has been shown. We all must be reminded, however, that substantial 
work remains to be undertaken and completed. In recognition of this 
special day, I ask that we all carry with us the vision of a new day 
when abundant food is available to each and every human being and that 
we renew our collective commitment to achieve that vision.

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