[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 92 (Wednesday, June 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        CHILD SURVIVAL PROGRAMS A PRIORITY IN FOREIGN AID BUDGET

  (Mr. WALSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 966, 
the James P. Grant World Summit for Children Implementation Act. As we 
revise our foreign aid priorities it is critical that we not reduce 
spending for cost-effective programs like child survival that provide 
benefits to children throughout the world.
  Spending for kids' programs must continue to be a priority in our 
foreign aid budget. Minimum Federal investments in child survival, 
basic education, and micronutrient programs has had a dramatic impact 
in improving the lives and well-being of children in underdeveloped 
countries. In 1980, for example, over 5 million kids died from vaccine 
preventable diseases. Because of our investments in child survival 
programs such as immunization and oral rehydration therapy we are 
saving millions of childrens' lives each year.
  Nearly 13 million children worldwide die each year, 35,000 per day, 
due to largely preventable diseases and malnutrition. These miserable 
conditions create a cycle of poverty and hopelessness that can be 
broken through proven, cost-effective child survival strategies.
  Last year, we provided $280 million for child survival program 
activities and increased funding for these activities is desperately 
needed. While it is clear that overall foreign aid levels will be 
reduced this year, it is essential that the committees dealing with 
foreign affairs ensure continued U.S. participation in child survival. 
The World Summit for Children Implementation Act, a bill which I have 
sponsored with my good friend and leading hunger advocate, Tony Hall, 
maintains and increases our investment in child survival, basic 
education, micronutrient programs, and UNICEF. Congress needs to keep 
its commitment to these cost-effective child development assistance 
programs and I plan on working with my colleagues to see that these 
priorities are incorporated into foreign affairs legislation.

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