Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 2.djvu/1047

 PUBLIC LAW 98-476—OCT. 15, 1984

98 STAT. 2207

Public Law 98-476 98th Congress Joint Resolution To proclaim October 16, 1984, as "World Food Day".

Whereas hunger and chronic 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, including blindness, because of vitamin and protein deficiencies; Whereas Congress is particularly concerned by the rise of hunger, recurring natural catastrophes, and inadequate food production now affecting a large number of African countries and the need for an appropriate United States response to emergency and longterm food needs of that continent; 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 the danger posed malnutrition and related diseases to these groups and to other people is intensified by unemployment and slow rates of economic growth; Whereas national policies concerning food, farmland, and nutrition require continuing evaluation and should consider and strive for the well-heing 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 land and water resources required for food production throughout the United States ensure care for the national patrimony we bequeath to future generations; Whereas the United States has always supported the principle that the health of a nation depends on a strong agriculture based on private enterprise and the primacy of the independent family farm; Whereas the United States, as the world's largest producer and trader of food, has a key role to play in efforts to assist nations and peoples to improve their ability to feed themselves; Whereas the United States has a long tradition of demonstrating its humanitarian concern for helping the hungry and malnourished; Whereas efforts to resolve the world hunger problem are critical to the security of the United States and the international community^ 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 around the world;

Oct. 15, 1984 [S.J. Res. 332]

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