WHEREAS, food insecurity and hunger are daily facts of life for millions of low-income Americans; and

WHEREAS, millions of hungry children in the United States suffer serious effects of food insecurity, including physical, mental, and social impairment; and

WHEREAS, the problem of hunger and food insecurity can be found in rural, suburban, and urban America, touching nearly every American community; and

WHEREAS, although substantial progress has been made in reducing the incidence of hunger and food insecurity in the United States, certain groups, notably the working poor, the elderly, homeless people, children, migrant workers and Native Americans remain vulnerable to hunger and the negative effects of food deprivation; and

WHEREAS, the people of the United States have a long tradition of providing food assistance to hungry people through acts of private generosity and public support programs; and

WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors Initiative on Hunger and Homelessness, directed through the Conference's Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness supports child nutrition programs and food donation programs, and supports providing essential nutrition support to millions of low-income people; and

WHEREAS, there is a growing awareness of the important public and private partnership role that community-based organizations, institutions of faith, and charities provide in assisting the hungry and food insecure people; and

WHEREAS, more than 50,000 local community based organizations rely on the support and efforts of more than one million volunteers to provide food assistance and services to millions of vulnerable people; and

WHEREAS, a diverse group of organizations, including America's Second Harvest, The U.S. Conference of Mayors, and other organizations have documented substantial increases in requests for emergency food assistance over the past year; and

WHEREAS, all Americans across the country can help participate in hunger relief efforts in their communities through donating food, money, or through volunteerism and by supporting public policies aimed at reducing hunger,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that June 5, 2002 and June 5, 2003 are each designated as "National Hunger Awareness Day," and The U.S. Conference of Mayors is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States in all communities across the country to observe National Hunger Awareness Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities of volunteerism and support for local anti-hunger advocacy efforts and hunger relief charities, including food banks, food rescue organizations, food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters, and through the year-round support of programs and public policies that reduce hunger and food insecurity in all local communities across the country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that by taking action to end hunger through activities and initiatives throughout the year, The U.S. Conference of Mayors can work together to raise awareness and educate local municipalities on the hunger issue. The need is great, and The U.S. Conference of Mayors can mobilize Americans to take action to feed America's hungry.