IIA
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. J. RES. 218
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
OCTOBER 14 (legislative day, OCTOBER 13), 1993
Received
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 ef-
fects of hunger and malnutrition, with millions of chil-
dren dying each year from hunger-related illness and dis-
ease, and many others suffering permanent physical or
mental impairment because of vitamin or protein defi-
ciencies;
•HJ 218 RDS
Whereas the United States has a long tradition of dem-
onstrating humanitarian concern for the hungry and mal-
nourished 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 peacekeep-
ing forces as well as the provision of emergency food sup-
plies;
Whereas the United States plays a major role in the develop-
ment and implementation of interregional food and agri-
cultural 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 in-
cidence of hunger and malnutrition in the United States,
certain groups, notably Native Americans, migrant work-
ers, the elderly, the homeless, and children, remain vul-
nerable 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 preserva-
tion of biological diversity and strong public and private
programs of agricultural research are required for the
•HJ 218 RDS
United States to remain the largest surplus food pro-
ducer 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 en-
hancing the improved production, safety and quality of
the world food supply;
Whereas the Congress of the United States is aware of and
strongly supports plans and preparations for the Inter-
national 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 malnour-
ished people;
Whereas the member nations of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations unanimously des-
ignated October 16 of each year as World Food Day be-
cause of the need to increase public awareness of world
hunger problems;
Whereas past observances of World Food Day have been sup-
ported by proclamations by the Congress, the President,
the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Common-
wealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions
of the United States, and by programs of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, other Federal departments and
agencies, and the governments and peoples of more than
150 other nations;
•HJ 218 RDS
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, in-
cluding worship services, fasting, education endeavors, and
the establishment of year-around food and health pro-
grams and policies.
Passed the House of Representatives October 13,
1993.
Attest:
DONNALD K. ANDERSON,
Clerk.