III 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 679 

Designating October 16, 2018, as ‘‘World Food Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

OCTOBER 11, 2018 

Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. MORAN, Mr. LEAHY, and Mr. BOOZMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating October 16, 2018, 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 the United States has a long tradition of demonstrating humanitarian concern for the hungry and malnourished people of the world; 


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Whereas there is a growing 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; and 

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

Whereas the world community increasingly 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— 

(1) to remain food secure; and 

(2) to continue to aid the hungry and malnourished 

people of the world; 

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 


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the world food supply and must continue to retain that 

role; 

Whereas participation by 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 done commendable work in organizing 

activities and efforts on ‘‘World Food Day’’ in over 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 by 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 2018, and a growing number of these orgaVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:52 Oct 12, 2018 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR679.IS SR679

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nizations 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 study, advocacy, and action: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates October 16, 2018, as ‘‘World 

3 Food Day’’; and 

4 (2) encourages the people of the United States 

5 to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and 

6 activities. 

Æ 


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