SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 16

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics and Nancy Rodriguez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

DECLARING MARCH 5, 2019 AS "END HUNGER DAY" IN THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, the 2018 "map the meal gap" report from the national anti-hunger organization feeding America indicates that twenty-six percent of children, or one hundred twenty-five thousand two hundred ten children, are at risk of hunger in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture research service ranks New Mexico sixth-highest among the states with the most people experiencing hunger; and

     WHEREAS, the map the meal gap report also shows that hunger is getting worse in New Mexico: the overall hunger rate in New Mexico is seventeen percent, an increase from 2017's rate of sixteen percent; and

     WHEREAS, hunger is directly linked to poverty; and

     WHEREAS, the 2018 annual KIDS COUNT report compiled by the Annie E. Casey foundation found that seventeen percent of New Mexico children struggle with food insecurity; and

     WHEREAS, the 2018 KIDS COUNT report ranks New Mexico, with twenty-seven percent of children living in poverty, among the states with the worst rates of child poverty; and

     WHEREAS, the center for American progress reports that four hundred one thousand seven hundred fifty-five New Mexicans, or nearly one in five state residents, were living in poverty in 2017; and

     WHEREAS, although there are a number of public and private programs that seek to address issues relating to hunger in New Mexico, many of these programs are "siloed", and there is little systematic communication among these programs; and

     WHEREAS, there is a need for a single, statewide plan among policymakers, agencies and organizations for ending hunger in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, at the request of the house of representatives, pursuant to 2018's House Memorial 90, a multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder "hunger council" made up of legislators, state and local government agency representatives and experts in hunger and poverty policy has been meeting to develop a single statewide plan for ending hunger in New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Tuesday, March 5, 2019, be declared "End Hunger Day" in the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the hunger council be requested to continue its work on a single, statewide plan for ending hunger in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the New Mexico legislature be requested to form a "hunger caucus" to support legislation aimed at ending hunger in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of human services, the secretary of aging and long-term services, the secretary of children, youth and families and the convener of the hunger council.

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