Senate Resolution No. 658

BY: Senator PERSAUD

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 28, 2021, as World
Hunger Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase
awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of many citizens of
New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 28, 2021, as World
Hunger Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of World Hunger Day; and

WHEREAS, Hunger is not just about food; hunger and poverty are
inextricably linked to a nexus of issues including: healthcare, decent
work opportunities, education, social justice, the rights of women and
girls, the environment and climate change; and

WHEREAS, The Hunger Project, which initiated World Hunger Day, uses
an innovative, holistic approach that tackles all these issues, and
empowers people living in hunger to become the agents of their own
development and lift their communities above the poverty line for good -
this is the sustainable end of poverty; and

WHEREAS, More than 820 million people in the world do not have
enough food; and

WHEREAS, Hunger is also a grave concern for the State of New York;
it is essential to eliminate this serious concern and to increase public
awareness of the extent to which it exists; and

WHEREAS, According to Feeding America, there are more than 2.6
million New Yorkers, or one in eight people, who are considered food
insecure, meaning they do not have enough food to live a healthy life;
and

WHEREAS, For the youngest residents of the State of New York, food
insecurity is more prevalent, affecting one in five children;
furthermore, as of 2018, New York State has an estimated 91,897 citizens
experiencing homelessness on any given day; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is fully committed to bringing
awareness to solving hunger and homelessness in all its communities, as
well as providing necessary resources to residents in need; and

WHEREAS, New York is committed to working with food pantries,
shelters, and other service organizations which need support; these
organizations provide food, secure places to sleep, and other aids to
those who need it the most; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State
and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 28, 2021, as World
Hunger Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.