A joint resolution to designate May 25, 1986 as "Hands Across America Day", for the purpose of helping people to help themselves, and commending United Support of Artists for Africa and all participants for their efforts toward combating domestic hunger with a 4000 mile human chain from coast to coast.
PL 99-321 (S.J.Res.246), enacted 05/23/1986

100 STAT. 492 
PUBLIC LAW 99-321—MAY 23, 1986 
Public Law 99-321 
99th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To designate May 25, 1986 as "Hands Across America Day", for the purpose of 
May 23, 1986 
helping people to help themselves, and commending United Support of Artists for 
[S.J. Res. 246] 
Africa and all participants for their efforts toward combating domestic hunger with 
a four thousand mile human chain from coast to coast. 
Whereas thousands of recruits were rejected during World War II 
because of physical and mental problems associated with 
malnutrition; 
Whereas our Government committed itself to ending this national 
problem by successfully devising programs to eliminate malnutri-
tion in America; 
Whereas our people became the best-fed, healthiest people in the 
world; 
Whereas a Physicians Task Force on Hunger recently estimated 
that at least twenty million American citizens now suffer from 
hunger, and that hunger is increasing rather than declining; 
Whereas physicians around the Nation are reporting an increase in 
nutrition-related health problems among the elderly and children, 
including diseases which are usually limited to third world 
countries; 
Whereas homelessness is an ever-increasing national problem and 
more than half the homeless population in the United States is 
comprised of children and women; 
Whereas it has been estimated that there are only enough shelters 
to house one hundred and eleven thousand men, women, and 
children on a given night, and there are as many as three million 
people in need of shelter; 
Whereas the General Accounting Office reports that the principal 
causes of homelessness in America are: unemplojnnent, a lack of 
resources for deinstitutionalized mental patients, increases in 
personal crises, cuts in public assistance programs, reduced avail-
ability of low-income housing, and alcohol and drug abuse; 
Whereas participation by all citizens who are interested in helping 
to address this enormous problem should be encouraged; 
Whereas a private fund-raising effort by United Support of Artists 
for Africa entitled "Hands Across America" is planned for 
May 25,1986; 
Whereas millions of participants in this effort who will join hands 
across this country on that day should be commended for asking 
all Americans to rededicate themselves to fulfilling the most basic 
needs of our people in this land of compassion and abundance, by 
expending every effort to eradicate hunger and homelessness in 
our Nation: Now, therefore, be it 
PUBLIC LAW 99-321—MAY 23, 1986 
100 STAT. 493 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That May 25, 1986, is 
designated as "Hands Across America Day", and the President is 
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the 
people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities. 
Approved May 23, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 246 (H.J. Res. 462): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): 
Feb. 6, H.J. Res. 462 considered and passed House. 
Mar. 4, S.J. Res. 246 considered and passed Senate. 
May 15, considered and passed House.