Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 100 Part 1.djvu/446

 100 STAT. 410

PUBLIC LAW 99-288—MAY 1, 1986

Public Law 99-288 99th Congress

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Joint Resolution May 1, 1986 [S.J. Res. 296]

rj,^ designate October 16, 1986, as "World Food Day". '

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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 Mrican 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 developing 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 despite the desperate need for food by hundreds of millions of people throughout the world; Whereas participation by the private voluntary and business sectors, working with national governments and the international community, is essential to the search for solutions to food and hunger problems;

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