A resolution designating October 16, 2019, and October 16, 2020, as "World Food Day".

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 365 Designating October 16, 2019, and October 16, 2020, as ‘‘World Food Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES OCTOBER 17, 2019 Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. MORAN, Mr. BOOZMAN, and Mr. LEAHY) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating 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 22:58 Oct 17, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR365.ATS SR365 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •SRES 365 ATS Whereas there is a growing concern in the United States and in other countries about threats to the future food sup- ply, 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 incidence of hunger and malnutrition in the United States, certain groups remain vulnerable to malnutrition and related 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— (1) to remain food secure; and (2) 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:58 Oct 17, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR365.ATS SR365 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •SRES 365 ATS the world food supply and must continue to retain that role; 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 preamble as the ‘‘FAO’’) is mandated to lead global efforts to address food and nutrition security issues; Whereas the member nations of the FAO have unanimously designated October 16 of each year as ‘‘World Food Day’’; Whereas the FAO has worked to organize activities and ef- forts on ‘‘World Food Day’’ in over 130 countries to pro- mote awareness of and action for people suffering from hunger and malnutrition; Whereas past observances of ‘‘World Food Day’’ have been supported— (1) by 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 (2) by 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:58 Oct 17, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR365.ATS SR365 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 4 •SRES 365 ATS 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 Senate— 1 (1) designates October 16, 2019, and October 2 16, 2020, as ‘‘World Food 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 22:58 Oct 17, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR365.ATS SR365 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS