44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT THE HUNGER RELIEF ACT AND THE FOOD STAMP OUTREACH AND RESEARCH FOR KIDS ACT.

WHEREAS, the legislature is concerned about the many New Mexicans living in poverty; and

WHEREAS, people living in poverty often have difficulty providing food for their families; and

WHEREAS, the need for food is basic to human existence; and

WHEREAS, providers of emergency food report sharp increases in requests for food and are unable to adequately meet the need for food; and

WHEREAS, participation in the federal food stamp program is a means for low-income families to be able to purchase food; and

WHEREAS, the United States general accounting office has reported that over the past few years the participation in the food stamp program declined twenty-seven percent while the number of people living in poverty declined only seven percent; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico has also experienced a decline in food stamp utilization while the number of people living in poverty has not declined; and

WHEREAS, a bipartisan effort to address the need to expand food stamp utilization is being made in the United States congress through the introduction of legislation addressing this crucial issue;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it urge the United States congress to pass the Hunger Relief Act and the Food Stamp Outreach and Research for Kids Act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature of the state of New Mexico urge the president of the United States to sign the Hunger Relief Act and the Food Stamp Outreach and Research for Kids Act into law upon passage by congress; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation and to the president of the United States.