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IV
116TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 937
Recognizing the important role Victory Gardens played in America’s World
War efforts and reaffirming their purpose as essential to strengthening
food security, health education, and community morale during the 2020
Coronavirus disease (COVID–19) crisis.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 22, 2020
Ms. KAPTUR (for herself and Mr. FORTENBERRY) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the important role Victory Gardens played in
America’s World War efforts and reaffirming their pur-
pose as essential to strengthening food security, health
education, and community morale during the 2020
Coronavirus disease (COVID–19) crisis.
Whereas during World War I and World War II, the Victory
Garden campaign called on Americans to plant vegetable,
fruit, and herb gardens in whatever space they had avail-
able to implement a valuable and self-sufficient means to
prevent potential food shortages;
Whereas so many patriotic Americans participated in the
movement during WWII, it is estimated that home,
school, and community gardeners produced close to 40
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•HRES 937 IH
percent of the Nation’s fresh vegetables from 20 million
gardens;
Whereas the forces at work in the global Coronavirus pan-
demic disrupt global food supply chains and leave Amer-
ican consumers vulnerable, many individuals are hindered
from accessing even local food resources such as farmers’
markets, State fairs, and other community supported ag-
riculture, due to social distancing guidelines;
Whereas Americans have been asked to follow social
distancing guidelines and shelter in their homes to flatten
the curve in the COVID–19 crisis;
Whereas many will find the extra time at home provides a
ripe opportunity for engagement in gardening as a hobby,
as a food source, and as a means to promote stable phys-
ical and mental health;
Whereas existing community gardens are investments in
neighborhood revitalization, provide local sources of
produce, and most importantly help restore fresh foods to
underserved food desert communities, while inspiring and
teaching children to gain a tangible appreciation for the
power of nature to sustain life and improve health out-
comes through gardening;
Whereas spring 2020 has already seen significant increased
demand at garden stores, centers, and suppliers;
Whereas supporting the growth of healthy and fresh fruits,
vegetables, and herbs at home, through our education
systems, in community gardens, and through all health
care providers can play a fundamental role to amplify the
benefits of healthy food options as nature’s best medicine
and help citizens improve overall health, ultimately reduc-
ing cases of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease,
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and pulmonary diseases each of which has an increased
mortality rate among COVID–19 patients;
Whereas increased access to local healthy food options builds
resiliency in individuals and communities; and
Whereas promoting Victory Gardens can improve citizen mo-
rale during this harrowing global experience by rallying
citizens to a healthy, productive, and patriotic activity
which can benefit whole communities: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
1
(1) recognizes the importance of the health con-
2
sciousness, food security, and community morale
3
that is spurred by planting of Victory Gardens; and
4
(2) recognizes that the Secretary of Agriculture
5
should collaborate with the House of Representa-
6
tives—
7
(A) to encourage citizens to plant Victory
8
Gardens for the benefit of their families, com-
9
munities, and country; and
10
(B) to supply seeds, preserving materials,
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and manuals to help citizens grow and preserve
12
crops from their Victory Gardens during the
13
COVID–19 crisis.
14
Æ
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