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.

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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:49 Apr 22, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR937.IH HR937 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •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, VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:49 Apr 22, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR937.IH HR937 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 937 IH 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, 11 and manuals to help citizens grow and preserve 12 crops from their Victory Gardens during the 13 COVID–19 crisis. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:27 Apr 22, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR937.IH HR937 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS