Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 99 Part 1.djvu/537

 PUBLIC LAW 99-122—Oct. 16, 1985

99 STAT. 515

Public Law 99-122 99th Congress Joint Resolution To designate October 16, 1985, as "World Food Day".

Whereas hunger and chronic malnutrition remain daily facts of life for hundreds of millions of people throughout the world and famine is again afflicting so many of the countries of Africa; 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 and distribution now affecting a large number of African countries and the need for an appropriate United States response to emergency and long-term food needs of that continent; Whereas there is growing recognition that improved agricultural policies, including farmer incentives, are necessary in many developing countries to increase food production and national economic growth; Whereas there is a need to increase the involvement of the private voluntary and business sectors, working with governments and the international community, in the search for solutions to food and hunger problems; 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 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 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 countries and people 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 maintenance of world peace and therefore to the security of the United States;

Oct. 16, 1985 [S.J. Res. 72]

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