SR1783 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1783 LRB099 21524 GRL 47812 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, 795 million people globally experience hunger every day; and

WHEREAS, Because of a lack of food, millions of the world's poor are left stunted, blind, and afflicted with developmental disabilities; countless others are continually weakened by anemia and are condemned to do little more than survive; and

WHEREAS, 45.3 million people live in poverty in the United States; 14.7 million of them are children; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 15% of United States households, or approximately 49 million Americans, including 15.9 million children, experience hunger or food insecurity, which can produce physical, mental, and social impairments; and

WHEREAS, Although substantial progress has been made in reducing the incidence of hunger and food insecurity in the United States and around the world, millions of people remain vulnerable to hunger and the negative effects of food deprivation; and

WHEREAS, According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the percentage of the world's population that is undernourished has decreased from 23.4% in 1990-1992 to 13.5% in 2012-2014; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we call upon all elected leaders in state legislatures, the United States Congress, and the President to make it a top priority to end hunger by 2030; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon Congress and the President to provide adequate and consistent funding for the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the unique power of churches, schools, communities, local charities, and people of good will to generate the political will to help end hunger by 2030; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the importance of government policy to help end hunger and join the world in endorsing the goal to end hunger in the United States and around the world by 2030; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the President and Vice President of the United States, the members of the Illinois congressional delegation, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.