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1994 SESSION

LD2303753
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 184
Senate Amendments in [ ] -- February 8, 1994
Requesting the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, with the assistance of the Secretary of Finance and Secretary of Education, to study a cost-effective, coordinated response to hunger in the Commonwealth.
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Patrons--Walker, Holland, C.A., Holland, E.M., Lambert and Quayle; Delegates: Abbitt, Cooper, Darner, Giesen, Jones, D.C., Robinson and Way
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, hunger impacts one in eight families in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's hungry are represented by all ages, sexes and races; and

WHEREAS, hunger among children continues to increase; and

WHEREAS, hunger creates major health problems, resulting in rising costs in prenatal, post partum, early childhood and elderly health care; and

WHEREAS, hunger is an expense to be ill afforded, in terms of lost potential, missed education, and work potential; and

WHEREAS, alleviating hunger would enhance economic development efforts by providing an enlarged and healthier work force; and

WHEREAS, hunger is curable and preventable in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the existing offices and departments of Aging, Agriculture, Health, Education, Transportation, Recreation and Social Services can and do provide services to those in need; and

WHEREAS, ten years have passed since the Joint Subcommittee Studying Hunger and Malnutrition in the Commonwealth pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 50 (1984) examined the extent, effect, and cost of hunger in Virginia and proposed 13 multi-faceted legislative initiatives to address the problem; and

WHEREAS, no follow-up study has been conducted to determine and evaluate the implementation of these initiatives and their effectiveness in diminishing hunger in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, further evaluation of the problem may be timely in light of the changing economic climate and impending welfare reform proposals by the Commission to Stimulate Personal Initiative to Overcome Poverty; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Secretary of Health and Human Resources be requested, with the assistance of the Secretary of Finance and the Secretary of Education to study a cost effective, coordinated response to hunger in the Commonwealth.

The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall, among other items, (i) evaluate the findings of the Joint Subcommittee Studying Hunger and Malnutrition to determine their current applicability; (ii) review the status of the recommendations of the joint subcommittee to determine which proposals have been implemented and their effectiveness in diminishing hunger in Virginia; (iii) assess revisions to current programs and policies which may be necessary to meet the objectives of current welfare program reform proposals; (iv) evaluate the impact of the changing economic climate on government, business, private, nonprofit and volunteer efforts to alleviate hunger; and (v) identify the potential for improved coordination of administrative policies and programs.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, upon request.

The Secretary shall complete his work in time to submit [ his her ] findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1995 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.