A joint resolution designating the week beginning October 20, 1991, as "World Population Awareness Week".
PL 102-149 (S.J.Res.160), enacted 10/30/1991

105 STAT. 978 
PUBLIC LAW 102-149—OCT. 30, 1991 
Public Law 102-149 
102d Congress 
* 
Joint Resolution 
Oct. 30, 1991 
Designating the week beginning October 20, 1991, as "World Population Awareness 
[S.J. Res. 160] 
Week". 
Whereas the population of the world today exceeds 5,000,000,000 
and is growing at an unprecedented rate of approximately 
90,000,000 per year; 
Whereas virtually all of this growth is occurring in the poorest 
countries, those countries least able to provide even basic services 
for their current citizens; 
Whereas the demands of growing populations have contributed 
substantially to enormous environmental devastation and pose 
threats of even greater harm to the world; 
Whereas one-half of the 10,000,000 infant deaths and one-quarter of 
the 500,000 maternal deaths that occur each year in the develop-
ing world could be prevented if voluntary child spacing and 
maternal health programs could be substantially expanded; 
Whereas research reveals that one-half of the women of reproduc-
tive £ige in the developing world want to limit the size of their 
families but lack the means or ability to gain access to family 
planning; 
Whereas the global community has for more than 20 years recog-
nized that it is a fundamental human right for people to volun-
tarily and responsibly determine the number and spacing of their 
children and the United States has been a leading advocate of this 
right; 
Whereas the demands of growing populations force many countries 
to borrow heavily and sell off their natural resources to cover the 
interest on their debt; 
Whereas selling off natural resources in such circumstances often 
causes irretrievable losses, such as the destruction of the tropical 
rain forests at a rate of 50,000 acres per day; 
Whereas the reliance of a rapidly growing world population on 
burning fuels is a critical factor in the emission of carbon dioxide 
into the atmosphere, which many scientists believe has already 
catalyzed a warming of the Earth's climate; 
Whereas pollution is damaging the ozone layer to such an extent 
that within 40 years the amount of ultraviolet light reaching our 
planet is expected to increase by as much as 20 percent; and 
Whereas in 1990, the President proclaimed "World Population 
Awareness Week" nationally, and 38 State Governors proclaimed 
"World Population Awareness Week" in their respective States, 
to call attention to the consequences of rapid population growth, 
and the Congress also passed a resolution to that effect: Now, 
therefore, be it 
59-139 O - 91 (149) 
PUBLIC LAW 102-149—OCT. 30, 1991 
105 STAT. 979 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled. That the week beginning 
October 20, 1991, is designated as "World Population Awareness 
Week". The President is authorized and requested to issue a 
proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
such week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. 
Approved October 30, 1991. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 160: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 137 (1991): 
Oct. 8, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 22, considered and passed House.