H.J. Res. 218

One Hundred Third Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE FIRST SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,

the fifth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-three

Joint Resolution

Designating October 16, 1993, and October 16, 1994, each as World Food Day.

Whereas hunger and malnutrition remain daily facts of life for

hundreds of millions of people in the world;

Whereas the children of the world suffer the most serious effects

of hunger and malnutrition, with millions of children dying each

year from hunger-related illness and disease, and many others

suffering 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;

Whereas there is growing concern in the United States and in

other countries for environmental protection and the dangers

posed to future food supply from misuse and overuse of land

and water, loss of biological diversity and erosion of genetic

resources on a global scale;

Whereas the world community increasingly calls upon the United

States to resolve food problems stemming from local conflicts

and civil unrest—such as in Somalia and the former Yugoslavia—

calling for the use of peacekeeping forces as well as the provision

of emergency food supplies;

Whereas the United States plays a major role in the development

and implementation of interregional food and agricultural trade

standards and practices, and recognizes the positive role that

food trade can play in enhancing human nutrition and in the

alleviation of hunger;

Whereas although progress has been made in reducing the incidence

of hunger and malnutrition in the United States, certain groups,

notably Native Americans, migrant workers, the elderly, the

homeless, and children, remain vulnerable to malnutrition and

related diseases;

Whereas our Government is now preparing a National Plan of

Action for nutrition wellbeing in accordance with the commitment

made at the recent International Conference on Nutrition;

Whereas the conservation of natural resources, the preservation

of biological diversity and strong public and private programs

of agricultural research are required for the United States to

remain the largest surplus food producer in the world and to

continue to aid the hungry and malnourished people of the world;

Whereas the United States is and must remain the world leader

in the development of biotechnology aimed at enhancing the

improved production, safety and quality of the world food supply;
H.J. Res. 218—2

Whereas the Congress of the United States is aware of and strongly

supports plans and preparations for the International Conference

on Plant Genetic Resources planned for 1995;

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 member nations of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations unanimously designated October 16

of each year as World Food Day because of the need to increase

public awareness of world hunger problems;

Whereas past observances of World Food Day have been supported

by proclamations by the 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

by programs of the Department of Agriculture, other Federal

departments and agencies, and the governments and peoples

of more than 150 other nations;

Whereas 450 private voluntary organizations and thousands of

community leaders are participating in the planning of World

Food Day observances in 1993, and a growing number of these

organizations and leaders are using this 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 the hungry and malnourished people throughout

the world by study and action and by fasting and donating food

and money: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled, That October

16, 1993, and October 16, 1994, are each designated as ‘‘World

Food Day’’, and the President is authorized and requested to issue

a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to

observe World Food Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities,

including worship services, fasting, education endeavors, and the

establishment of year-around food and health programs and policies.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.