A joint resolution to designate October 16, 1986, as "World Food Day".
PL 99-288 (S.J.Res.296), enacted 05/01/1986

100 STAT. 410 
PUBLIC LAW 99-288—MAY 1, 1986 
Public Law 99-288 
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99th Congress 
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Joint Resolution 
May 1, 1986 
rj,^ designate October 16,1986, as "World Food Day". 
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[S.J. Res. 296] 
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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 American people have a long 
tradition of demonstrating humanitarian concern for the hungry 
and malnourished, recently manifested in their response to Mri-
can famine; 
Whereas the United States, as the world's largest producer and 
trader of food, has a key role to play in assisting countries and 
people to improve their ability to feed themselves; 
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 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 there is growing recognition that improved agricultural 
policies, including farmer incentives, are necessary in many devel-
oping countries to increase food production and economic growth; 
Whereas the United States has always supported the principle that 
the health of the nation depends on a strong agriculture based on 
private enterprise and the primacy of the independent family 
farmer; 
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 natural resources required for food production throughout the 
United States ensure care for the national patrimony we bequeath 
to future generations; 
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 
throughout the world; 
Whereas participation by the private voluntary and business sec-
tors, working with national governments and the international 
community, is essential to the search for solutions to food and 
hunger problems; 
PUBLIC LAW 99-288—MAY 1, 1986 
100 STAT. 411 
Whereas the member nations of the Food and Agricultural 
Organization of the United Nations unanimously designated Octo-
ber 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 fifty States, the DMrict of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions 
of the United States, by resolution 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 fifty private and voluntary 
organizations and many thousands of community leaders are 
participating in the planning of World Food Day observances for 
1986: Now, therefore, be it 
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Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That October 16, 1986, 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 
programs and activities. 
Approved May 1, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 296: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): 
Mar. 21, considered and passed Senate. 
Apr. 22, considered and passed House. 
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