Supporting the designation of October 16, 2019, and October 16, 2020, as "World Food Day".

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 632 Supporting the designation of October 16, 2019, and October 16, 2020, as ‘‘World Food Day’’. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OCTOBER 16, 2019 Ms. PINGREE (for herself, Mr. NEWHOUSE, Mr. MCGOVERN, and Mrs. WALORSKI) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of October 16, 2019, and October 16, 2020, as ‘‘World Food Day’’. Whereas hunger and malnutrition are daily facts of life for hundreds of millions of people around the world; Whereas women and children suffer the most serious effects of hunger and malnutrition; Whereas millions of children die each year from hunger-re- lated illness and disease; Whereas many people suffer permanent physical or mental impairment because of vitamin or protein deficiencies; Whereas the United States has a long tradition of dem- onstrating humanitarian concern for the hungry and mal- nourished people of the world; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:25 Oct 16, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR632.IH HR632 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 632 IH Whereas there is a growing concern in the United States and other countries about threats to the future food supply, including— (1) misuse and overuse of land and water; (2) loss of biological diversity; and (3) erosion of genetic resources on a global scale; Whereas the world community increasingly calls upon the United States to resolve food problems stemming from natural and human-made disasters by providing humani- tarian assistance; Whereas the United States— (1) plays a major role in the development and imple- mentation of international food and agricultural trade standards and practices; and (2) recognizes the positive role that the global food trade can play in enhancing human nutrition and alle- viating hunger; Whereas although progress has been made in reducing the in- cidence of hunger and malnutrition in the United States, certain groups remain vulnerable to malnutrition and re- lated diseases; Whereas the conservation of natural resources, the preserva- tion of biological diversity, and strong public and private agricultural research programs are required for the United States to remain food secure and to continue to aid the hungry and malnourished people of the world; Whereas the United States is a world leader in the develop- ment of agricultural innovation and technology aimed at enhancing the improved production, safety, and quality of the world food supply and must continue to retain that role; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:25 Oct 16, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR632.IH HR632 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •HRES 632 IH Whereas participation by private voluntary organizations and businesses, working with national governments and the international community, is essential in the search for ways to increase food production in developing countries and improve food distribution to hungry and malnour- ished people; Whereas the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (referred to in this resolution as the ‘‘FAO’’) is mandated to lead global efforts to address food and nutrition security issues; Whereas the United States Ambassador to the United Na- tions Agencies for Food and Agriculture, Kip Tom, wrote on June 18, 2019, ‘‘The FAO is where the nations of the world come together to identify tools and practices to im- prove agricultural production, to facilitate trade, to en- hance sustainability, and to extend knowledge in ways that can improve the health and well-being of families ev- erywhere.’’; Whereas the member nations of the FAO have unanimously designated October 16 of each year as ‘‘World Food Day’’; Whereas the FAO has done commendable work in organizing activities and efforts on ‘‘World Food Day’’ in over 130 countries to promote awareness of and action for people suffering from hunger and malnutrition; Whereas past observances of ‘‘World Food Day’’ have been supported by— (1) proclamations by 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:25 Oct 16, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR632.IH HR632 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 4 •HRES 632 IH (2) programs of the Department of Agriculture and other Federal departments and agencies; Whereas private voluntary organizations and community lead- ers are participating in planning ‘‘World Food Day’’ ob- servances in 2019 and 2020, and a growing number of these organizations and leaders are using ‘‘World Food 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 study, advocacy, and action: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘World Food 2 Day’’; and 3 (2) encourages the people of the United States 4 to observe the days with appropriate ceremonies and 5 activities. 6 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:25 Oct 16, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR632.IH HR632 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS