Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 103 Part 3.djvu/1095

 PROCLAMATION 6072—NOV. 16, 1989 103 STAT. 3163 nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth. GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 6072 of November 16, 1989 Hunger Education Month, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Famines create headlines. When famine strikes in any region of the world, millions of people rally to help those at risk of starving to death. Chronic hunger, however, often receives far less attention, even though millions of people around the world suffer daily from its effects. Hxmger is particularly acute in a number of less developed countries where food supplies have been depleted by poverty, political strife, and civil war. Over the years, the American people have responded generously to the needs of those affected by famine and chronic hunger. The United States has not only met but exceeded its pledge to the international Food Aid Convention. Through U.S. Food for Peace and other pro- grams, Americans provided more than half of all the grain shipped worldwide through food aid programs during the year that ended in June—more than all other contributing nations combined. However, we know that contributions of food alone will not provide a lasting solution to chronic hunger. As the ancient proverb so eloquently reminds us, "Give a man a fish, and you have fed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime." Poverty and hxmger cannot be eliminated simply by donations of food. The development of free market economies also plays a vital role. The United States is working to alleviate himger in poor nations by encour- aging the development of policies that harness the power of individual initiative and free enterprise. We are working to help these countries increase their food production, and we are exploring ways to help them generate sufficient revenues to buy, store, and distribute essential agri- cultural goods. If ovu- Nation is to remain responsive to the needs of those who suffer from hunger, and if we are to continue to use our resources effectively in the fight against it, all Americans need to understand its causes and effects. Our schools and community organizations can play vital roles in heightening public awareness of world hunger by conducting educa- tional programs designed to examine this tragic problem and the means we can use to help solve it. To focus attention on the importance of education in the fight against world hunger, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 198, has desig- nated the month of November 1989 as "An End to Hunger Education Month" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this month.

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