Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 107 Part 2.djvu/82

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107 STAT. 1034 PUBLIC LAW 103-108—OCT. 18, 1993 Public Law 103-108 103d Congress Joint Resolution Oct. 18, 1993 [H.J. Res. 218] Designating October 16, 1993, and October 16, 1994, each as World Food Day. Whereas hunger and malnutrition remain daily facts of life for hundreds of millions of people in the world; Whereas the children of the world suffer the most serious effects of himger and malnutrition, with millions of children dying each year from hvmger-related illness and disease, and many others suffering permanent physical or mental impairment because of vitamin or protein deficiencies; Whereas the United States has a long tradition of demonstrating humanitarian concern for the hungry and malnourished people of the world; Whereas there is growing concern in the United States and in other countries for environmental protection and the dangers posed to future food supply from misuse and overuse of land and water, loss of biological diversity and erosion of genetic resources on a global scale; Whereas the world community increasingly calls upon the United States to resolve food problems stemming from local conflicts and civil unrest—such as in Somalia and the former Yugoslavia— calling for the use of peacekeeping forces as well as the provision of emergency food supplies; Whereas the United States plays a major role in the development and implementation of interregional food and agricultural trade standards and practices, and recognizes the positive role that food trade can play in enhancing human nutrition and in the alleviation of hunger; 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, the homeless, and children, remain vulnerable to malnutrition and related diseases; Whereas our Government is now preparing a National Plan of Action for nutrition wellbeing in accordance with the commitment made at the recent International Conference on Nutrition; Whereas the conservation of natural resources, the preservation of biological diversity and strong public and private programs of agricultural research are required for the United States to remain the largest surplus food producer in the world and to continue to aid the hungry and malnourished people of the world; Whereas the United States is and must remain the world leader in the development of biotechnology aimed at enhancing the improved production, safety and quality of the world food supply;