Renew global food act

Two years ago, we accomplished something historic in the fight against hunger. On July 20, 2016, President Obama signed the Global Food Security Act into law, after it had been passed by the Republican-led Congress with overwhelming support. The bill calls for U.S. leadership in agricultural development and nutrition, especially during the critical 1,000 days from pregnancy through age 2, when the impacts of malnutrition are largely irreversible.

As a result of the Global Food Security Act, hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers can now feed their families and communities, and more children are living free from the devastating effects of stunting. Furthermore, our own country benefits from improved diplomatic and trade relations with target countries and greater stability in volatile regions.

As a member of Bread for the World, I am proud to have helped make this happen. The Global Food Security Act had been introduced in previous sessions of Congress, but like thousands of other bills, it had gone nowhere - until we personally urged our representatives and senators to support it. I am grateful and applaud Sen. Dick Durbin, former Sen. Mark Kirk and Congressman Peter Roskam for supporting that bill several years ago.

Today, the need for sustained U.S. leadership in the fight against hunger is more important than ever, but the current legislation expires Sept. 30. Therefore, I hope you will join me in calling on congressman Roskam and the Illinois congressional delegation to co-sponsor and pass the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act to ensure this lifesaving work continues.

Tom Ruggaber

Wheaton