[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 26690]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 334--DESIGNATING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009, AS 
                          ``FEED AMERICA DAY''

  Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Reid, Mr. 
Bennett, Mr. Crapo, and Mr. Lugar) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 334

       Whereas Thanksgiving Day celebrates the spirit of selfless 
     giving and an appreciation for family and friends;
       Whereas the spirit of Thanksgiving Day is a virtue upon 
     which the Nation was founded;
       Whereas according to the Department of Agriculture, roughly 
     35,000,000 people in the United States, including 12,000,000 
     children, continue to live in households that do not have an 
     adequate supply of food; and
       Whereas selfless sacrifice breeds a genuine spirit of 
     thanksgiving, both affirming and restoring fundamental 
     principles in our society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates Thursday, November 19, 2009, as ``Feed 
     America Day''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to sacrifice 
     2 meals on Thursday, November 19, 2009, and to donate the 
     money that they would have spent on such food to a religious 
     or charitable organization of their choice for the purpose of 
     feeding the hungry.

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak regarding an effort 
that I have supported for a number of years and something I am very 
proud to have championed in the Senate for over 4 years. I speak, of 
Feed America Day. More than just the recognition of a single day, the 
Feed America campaign is a nationwide effort promoted by a number of 
charitable organizations and supported by numerous communities 
throughout the country. It is aimed at encouraging our Nation's spirit 
of selflessness and sacrifice in order to help those in need.
  Those who participate in Feed America Day encourage all Americans to 
sacrifice two meals on the Thursday before Thanksgiving Day and to 
donate the money they would have used for food to a charity or 
religious organization in their community for the purpose of feeding 
the Hungry. In a simple and practical way, this is an effort to harness 
the generosity of the American people in the spirit of the Thanksgiving 
season.
  We live in the most prosperous nation on the planet. Even in the face 
of our current difficulties, that remains true. Yet, according to the 
Department of Agriculture's most recent numbers, roughly 35 million 
Americans, including 12 million children, live in households that do 
not have an adequate supply of food. I think we can all agree that it 
is a good idea to encourage the American people to do more for the 
hungry in their communities, even if we don't always agree as to what 
Congress should do on such matters.
  Today, I have submitted a resolution that would designate Thursday, 
November 19, 2009, as Feed America Day. Once passed, this will be the 
fifth consecutive year that this day has been recognized by the Senate. 
I want to personally thank Senator Tom Udall from New Mexico for all 
his efforts in supporting and promoting this resolution and we are 
joined by Senators Bennett, Crapo, Lugar, and Reed. I urge my Senate 
colleagues and every American to join me in helping to assist those in 
need and affirming the long-standing values that have made our Nation 
great.

                          ____________________