[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 163 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 397--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 16, 2023, AND OCTOBER 16, 
                      2024, AS ``WORLD FOOD DAY''

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

                              S. Res. 397

       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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