A joint resolution to designate October 16, 1985, as "World Food Day".
PL 99-122 (S.J.Res.72), enacted 10/16/1985

PUBLIC LAW 99-122—Oct. 16, 1985 
99 STAT. 515 
Public Law 99-122 
99th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To designate October 16, 1985, as "World Food Day". 
Whereas hunger and chronic malnutrition remain daily facts of life 
for hundreds of millions of people throughout the world and 
famine is again afflicting so many of the countries of Africa; 
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 
and distribution now affecting a large number of African coun-
tries and the need for an appropriate United States response to 
emergency and long-term food needs of that continent; 
Whereas there is growing recognition that improved agricultural 
policies, including farmer incentives, are necessary in many devel-
oping countries to increase food production and national economic 
growth; 
Whereas there is a need to increase the involvement of the private 
voluntary and business sectors, working with governments and 
the international community, in the search for solutions to food 
and hunger problems; 
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 national policies concerning food, farmland, and nutrition 
require continuing evaluation and should consider and strive for 
the well-being 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 countries 
and people 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 maintenance of world peace and therefore to the security of 
the United States; 
Oct. 16, 1985 
[S.J. Res. 72] 
99 STAT. 516 
PUBLIC LAW 99-122—Oct. 16, 1985 
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; 
Whereas a key recommendation contained in the 1980 report of the 
Presidential Commission on World Hunger is 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 the Food and Agriculture Organization was conceived at a 
conference in Hot Springs, Virginia, with a goal of freedom from 
hunger and 1985 marks the fortieth anniversary of the organiza-
tion's existence; 
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 and thirty private and voluntary 
organizations and many thousands of community leaders are 
participating in the planning of World Food Day observances for 
1985: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That October 16, 1985, is 
hereby 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 
activities to explore ways in which our Nation can further contrib-
ute to the elimination of hunger in the world. 
Approved October 16, 1985. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 72: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 131 (1985): 
Mar. 28, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 9, considered and passed House.