A joint resolution designating October 16, 1988, as "World Food Day".
PL 100-451 (S.J.Res.336), enacted 09/28/1988

102 STAT. 1900 
PUBLIC LAW 100-451—SEPT. 28, 1988 
Public Law 100-451 
100th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Sept. 28, 1988 
[S.J. Res. 336] 
Designating October 16, 1988, as "World Food Day". 
Whereas hunger and 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 because of 
vitamin or protein deficiencies; 
Whereas the United States and the people of the United States have 
a long tradition of demonstrating humanitarian concern for the 
hungry and malnourished people of the world, recently mani-
fested by the American response to African famine; 
Whereas efforts to resolve the world hunger problem are critical to 
the maintenance of world peace and, therefore, to the security of 
the United States; 
Whereas the Congress is particularly concerned with the continuing 
food problems of Africa and is supportive of the efforts being made 
there to reform and rationalize agricultural policies to better meet 
the food needs of their peoples; 
Whereas the United States, as the largest producer and trader of 
food in the world, has a key role to play in assisting countries and 
people to improve their ability to feed themselves; 
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, and 
children, remain vulnerable to malnutrition and related diseases; 
Whereas the Congress is acutely aware of the paradox of enormous 
surplus production capacity in the United States despite the 
desperate need for food by people throughout the world; 
Whereas the United States and other countries should develop and 
continually evaluate national policies concerning food, farmland, 
and nutrition to achieve the well-being and protection of all 
people and particularly those most vulnerable to malnutrition 
and related diseases; 
Whereas improved agricultural policies, including farmer incen-
tives, are necessary in many developing countries to increase food 
production and economic growth; 
Whereas private enterprise and the primacy of the independent 
family farmer have been basic to the development of an agricul-
tural economy in the United States and have made the United 
States capable of meeting the food needs of most of the people of 
the United States; 
Whereas increasing farm foreclosures threaten to destroy the 
independent family farmer and weaken the agricultural economy 
in the United States; 
Whereas conservation of natural resources is necessary for the 
United States to remain the largest producer of food in the world 
PUBLIC LAW 100-451—SEPT. 28, 1988 
102 STAT. 1901 
and to continue to aid hungry and malnourished people of the 
world; 
Whereas participation by private voluntary organizations and 
businesses, working with national governments and the inter-
national community, is essential in the search for ways to increase 
food production in developing countries and improve food distribu-
tion to hungry and malnourished people; 
Whereas the member nations of the Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion 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 pro-
grams of the Department of Agriculture, other Federal depart-
ments and agencies, and the governments and peoples of more 
than 140 other nations; 
Whereas more than 400 private voluntary organizations and thou-
SEmds of community leaders are participating in the planning of 
World Food Day observances in 1988, and a growing number of 
these organizations and leaders are using such 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 fasting and by donating food and money for them: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That October 16, 1988, is 
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 that day with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities, including worship services, fasting, educational endeav-
ors, and the establishment of year-round food and health programs 
and policies. 
Approved September 28, 1988. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 336: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): 
July 26, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 16, considered and passed House.