[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 858 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 858

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      November 4, 2009.
Whereas the IAF was originally created as an independent Federal agency to 
        provide a new alternative model to traditional United States foreign 
        assistance that promotes greater community-ownership and self-
        sustainability of development initiatives;
Whereas the IAF has enabled millions of marginalized and poor people in Latin 
        America and the Caribbean to improve their lives through nearly 5,000 
        self-help grants for income and employment generation, civic education 
        and citizen participation, access to credit and public resources, food 
        security, environmental sustainability, and cultural and social 
        development;
Whereas the IAF has proven that its people-to-people approach to foreign 
        assistance, delivering aid funds directly to grassroots groups and local 
        organizations of poor communities, is remarkably cost-effective, 
        targeting aid funds to those with the greatest need and those who will 
        use them best;
Whereas each year, hundreds of thousands of IAF grant participants benefit from 
        improved nutrition, medical care, access to clean water, agricultural 
        and vocational skills, microcredit loans, small business management 
        training, increased educational opportunities, and knowledge of 
        sustainable agricultural techniques and environmental practices;
Whereas many grassroots leaders supported by the IAF have gone on to leadership 
        roles at the local and national levels;
Whereas the IAF's beneficiary-driven, responsive approach has fostered trust 
        between Latin American and Caribbean citizens and the United States 
        Government by listening and responding to needs the people have 
        identified, partnering with community-based groups and investing in 
        projects that utilize and validate local knowledge and expertise;
Whereas the IAF's status as an independent United States Government aid agency 
        allows for a streamlined grant-making process, the flexibility to 
        respond quickly and adapt to people's needs on the ground, and the 
        ability to maintain a positive United States presence in the region;
Whereas the IAF continues to demonstrate the political, diplomatic, and 
        strategic value of an independent United States Government aid agency 
        with the ability to reach those on the economic, social, and cultural 
        fringes of society in neighboring countries, facilitating greater access 
        to the licit economy, markets, and public policy decision-making 
        processes;
Whereas the IAF's projects complement and strive to maximize the impact of other 
        larger United States aid agencies operating in Latin America and the 
        Caribbean by enabling an important link between poor communities and 
        larger-scale development activities; and
Whereas the IAF was designed with strong bipartisan support and has maintained 
        this balanced support throughout the four decades of its operations: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) on its 40th 
        anniversary;
            (2) recognizes that the IAF has demonstrated that its grassroots 
        model for United States foreign assistance is effective; and
            (3) declares that the IAF is a vital component of United States 
        foreign policy in the Americas and of the United States development 
        agenda.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.