[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 42 (Monday, October 23, 2000)]
[Page 2500]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Observance of World Food Day

October 16, 2000

    Today, as we observe World Food Day and resolve to continue our work 
to combat hunger worldwide, I urge Congress to enact my budget proposal 
to help those here at home by ensuring that legal immigrants have access 
to critical nutrition and health assistance. Vice President Gore and I 
believe that legal immigrants should have the same economic opportunity 
and bear the same responsibility as other members of society. Upon 
signing the welfare reform law, I made a commitment to reverse 
unnecessary cuts in benefits to legal immigrants that had nothing to do 
with the law's goal of moving people from welfare to work.
    In 1997 and 1998, I joined Congress in taking steps to restore 
eligibility for many vulnerable immigrants. Now it is time to restore 
benefits to other legal immigrants who are working hard and playing by 
the rules but are in need of assistance. This action would be an 
important step toward making sure this country does its part to reduce 
hunger. Congress must also act now to restore State options to extend 
Medicaid and SCHIP coverage to vulnerable legal immigrant women and 
children. I look forward to working with Members of Congress in these 
final days of the budget negotiations to increase access to nutrition 
assistance and health benefits for legal immigrants.