119-hres817

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 817 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 817

 Supporting the designation of October 16, 2025, and October 16, 2026, 
 as ``World Food Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 October 17, 2025

Ms. Pingree (for herself, Ms. Salazar, and Mr. McGovern) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
 Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Supporting the designation of October 16, 2025, and October 16, 2026, 
 as ``World Food Day''.

Whereas hundreds of millions of people around the world are experiencing hunger 
 and malnutrition;
Whereas an estimated 2,300,000,000 people are estimated to have been moderately 
 or severely food insecure in 2024, an increase of 335,000,000 and a 
 clear example that the number of people affected by hunger continues to 
 grow at an alarming pace;
Whereas women and children suffer the most serious effects of hunger and 
 malnutrition;
Whereas millions of children die each year from hunger-related illness and 
 disease;
Whereas many people suffer permanent physical or mental impairment because of 
 vitamin or protein deficiencies due to malnutrition;
Whereas those in rural areas experience disproportionate levels of hunger;
Whereas an estimated 673,000,000 people, or 8.2 percent of the global 
 population, experienced food insecurity in 2024, progress in reducing 
 food insecurity has been inconsistent across the globe, and hunger 
 continues to rise in most subregions of Africa and western Asia;
Whereas the total number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity 
 nearly tripled between 2016 and 2024, rising from 105,200,000 people in 
 48 countries to approximately 295,300,000 people in 53 countries and 
 territories;
Whereas, between 2016 and 2024, the number of people experiencing the most 
 extreme level of food insecurity increased more than tenfold, from 
 155,000 to almost 2,000,000;
Whereas intensifying conflict, weather extremes, and other factors have 
 exacerbated an already untenable food insecurity crisis;
Whereas the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification

    (IPC) has confirmed 2 
 famines, noted that 1 country is currently at risk of famine, and 
 identified 3 countries facing catastrophic levels of acute food 
 insecurity that require urgent and immediate action;
Whereas the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet remained 
 unacceptably high at 2,600,000,000 globally in 2024;
Whereas the United States has a long tradition of demonstrating humanitarian 
 concern for the hungry and malnourished people of the world;
Whereas there is an ever-increasing concern in the United States and in other 
 countries about threats to the future food supply, including--

    (1) misuse and overuse of land and water;

    (2) loss of biological diversity;

    (3) conflict due to scarcity of natural resources;

    (4) erosion of genetic resources on a global scale; and

    (5) transboundary pests and diseases, such as the Desert Locust for 
plants and anthrax for livestock;

Whereas the world community increasingly and consistently calls upon the United 
 States to resolve food problems stemming from natural- and human-made 
 disasters by providing humanitarian assistance;
Whereas the United States--

    (1) plays a major role in the development and implementation of 
international food and agricultural trade standards and practices; and

    (2) recognizes the positive role that global food trade can play in 
enhancing human nutrition and alleviating hunger;

Whereas, although progress has been made in reducing the rate of hunger and 
 malnutrition in the United States, certain groups remain vulnerable to 
 malnutrition and related diseases and global hunger and malnutrition 
 rates continue to climb;
Whereas the conservation of natural resources, the preservation of biological 
 diversity, and strong public and private agricultural research programs 
 are required for the United States to--

    (1) remain food secure;

    (2) continue to aid the hungry and malnourished people of the world;

    (3) assist in building more resilient global food systems; and

    (4) preserve and sustain our forests, land, oceans, and waterways;

Whereas the United States is a world leader in the development of agricultural 
 innovation and technology aimed at enhancing the improved production, 
 safety, and quality of the world food supply, and must continue to 
 maintain that role;
Whereas emerging and innovative participation by private voluntary organizations 
 and businesses, working with national governments and the international 
 community, is essential in identifying new and more sustainable ways to 
 increase food production in developing countries and improve food 
 distribution to hungry and malnourished people;
Whereas World Food Day was established 80 years ago on October 16, 1945;
Whereas October 16 of each year since has been designated as ``World Food Day'';
Whereas more than 130 countries have taken part in organized activities and 
 efforts on ``World Food Day'' to promote awareness of and action for 
 people suffering from hunger and malnutrition;
Whereas past observances of ``World Food Day'' have been supported--

    (1) by proclamations by Congress, the President, the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories 
and possessions of the United States; and

    (2) by programs of the Department of Agriculture and other Federal 
departments and agencies;

Whereas private voluntary organizations and community leaders are participating 
 in planning ``World Food Day'' observances in 2025 and 2026, and a 
 growing number of these organizations and leaders are using ``World Food 
 Day'' as a focal point for year-round programs; and
Whereas the people of the United States can express their concern for the plight 
 of hungry and malnourished people throughout the world by study, 
 advocacy, and action: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) supports the designation of ``World Food Day'';

    (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
 the days with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and

    (3) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to 
 combating global food insecurity and malnutrition through 
 humanitarian support and innovative approaches.
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