I’m writing my members of Congress to urge support for H. Res. 189/S. Res. 260 to strengthen the United States’ commitment to global nutrition. Almost half of all child deaths worldwide are linked to nutrition. Even surviving children are at a high risk of irreversible stunted growth that affects their physical and cognitive development and the future of their families and countries.
This is not a political issue for me; rather, my faith tradition tells me we are all God’s children, equally important in God’s eyes, and it commands me to have compassion for the poor and hungry and stand alongside women and children around the world.
Strengthening our commitment to global nutrition is not only altruistic; it’s also in our country’s best interest. When we help millions of children reach their full potential, we help their countries do the same. Hunger and poverty lead to economic and political instability, while feeding children leads to strong, stable countries where violence and terrorism are less likely and reliance on the United States is less necessary.
I was shocked to learn that of every $1,000 in the current federal budget, only $3 goes to global nutrition. Now, when Congress has not yet passed a budget for fiscal year 2020, we can still have input. Please join me in calling, emailing, or writing Sens. Thom Tillis and Richard Burr and Rep. Dan Bishop to urge their support to increase funding for this vital purpose.
Sincerely,
Nancy Barrineau
Laurinburg