A joint resolution to proclaim October 16, 1984, as "World Food Day".
PL 98-476 (S.J.Res.332), enacted 10/15/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-476—OCT. 15, 1984 
98 STAT. 2207 
Public Law 98-476 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To proclaim October 16, 1984, as "World Food Day". 
Whereas hunger and chronic malnutrition remain daily facts of life 
for hundreds of millions of people throughout 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, including 
blindness, because of vitamin and protein deficiencies; 
Whereas Congress is particularly concerned by the rise of hunger, 
recurring natural catastrophes, and inadequate food production 
now affecting a large number of African countries and the need 
for an appropriate United States response to emergency and long-
term food needs of that continent; 
Whereas, although progress has been made in reducing the inci-
dence of hunger and malnutrition in the United States, certain 
groups, notably Native Americans, migrant workers, the elderly, 
and children, remain vulnerable to malnutrition and related dis-
eases; 
Whereas the danger posed malnutrition and related diseases to 
these groups and to other people is intensified by unemployment 
and slow rates of economic growth; 
Whereas national policies concerning food, farmland, and nutrition 
require continuing evaluation and should consider and strive for 
the well-heing and protection of all residents of the United States 
and particularly those most at health risk; 
Whereas there is widespread concern that the use and conservation 
of land and water resources required for food production through-
out the United States ensure care for the national patrimony we 
bequeath to future generations; 
Whereas the United States has always supported the principle that 
the health of a nation depends on a strong agriculture based on 
private enterprise and the primacy of the independent family 
farm; 
Whereas the United States, as the world's largest producer and 
trader of food, has a key role to play in efforts to assist nations 
and peoples to improve their ability to feed themselves; 
Whereas the United States has a long tradition of demonstrating its 
humanitarian concern for helping the hungry and malnourished; 
Whereas efforts to resolve the world hunger problem are critical 
to the security of the United States and the international com-
munity^ 
Whereas Congress is acutely aware of the paradox of immense farm 
surpluses and rising farm foreclosures in the United States de-
spite the desperate need for food by hundreds of millions of people 
around the world; 
Oct. 15, 1984 
[S.J. Res. 332] 
98 STAT. 2208 
PUBLIC LAW 98-476—OCT. 15, 1984 
Whereas a key recommendation of the 1980 report of the Presiden-
tial Commission on World Hunger was that efforts be undertaken 
to increase public awareness of the world hunger problem; 
Whereas the member nations of the Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion of the United Nations designated October 16 of each year as 
World Food Day because of the need to alert the public to the 
increasingly dangerous world food situation; 
Whereas past observances of World Food Day have been supported 
by proclamations of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions 
of the United States, by resolutions of Congress, by Presidential 
proclamations, by programs of the United States Department of 
Agriculture and other Government departments and agencies, 
and by the governments and peoples of many other nations; and 
Whereas more than three hundred private and voluntary organiza-
tions and many thousands of community leaders are participating 
in the planning of World Food Day observances this year: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That October 16, 1984, is 
hereby proclaimed "World Food Day". The President is authorized 
and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the 
United States to observe that day with appropriate activities to 
explore ways in which our Nation can further contribute to the 
elimination of hunger in the world. 
Approved October 15, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 332: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
Aug. 10, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 2, considered and passed House.