[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 2, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        AID/U.N. POPULATION FUND

 Mr. REID. Mr. President, as my colleagues and I prepare to go 
to conference on the H.R. 1158/S. 617 Defense supplemental 
appropriations and rescissions bills, I wish to submit a statement of 
support for funding for the Agency for International Development [AID] 
and United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA] population assistance 
programs. I strongly commend the distinguished chairman of the Senate 
Appropriations Committee and the ranking member for their focus on 
retaining the option of continued funding for AID and UNFPA population 
assistance programs in S. 617. By allowing the administration to decide 
where to rescind AID dollars, rather than agreeing to proposals to 
specifically rescind UNFPA and other AID population assistance funds, 
the Senate Appropriations Committee has kept open an opportunity to 
support these programs at fiscal year 1995 levels. While AID 
administers many valuable and significant human assistance programs 
worldwide, its population assistance programs contribute greatly to 
improving opportunities for economic growth and political stability in 
many developing countries, and are crucial to the protection of our 
global environment. I strongly support the full funding of these 
programs and urge my colleagues in conference to commit to leaving the 
administration with the option to meet the United States 1995 
population assistance commitments.


                          ____________________