[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page H5742]]

  CONCERN OVER LIMITATIONS ON OFFERING AMENDMENTS ON FOREIGN AID BILL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, there comes a time when we expect that 
legislation that is passed will be offered and passed in a bipartisan 
manner in the light of the seriousness and importance of the issue it 
confronts. Unfortunately, at the conclusion of the passage of H.R. 
1561, the foreign aid bill, some 60 amendments were not allowed to be 
discussed. I rise to express my concern over that, as well as the 
passage of this particular legislation.

                              {time}  1700

  For the amendment that I felt was most important, among many others 
that was eliminated, was the increased funding from $2 million to 
$2,500,000 in fiscal years 1996 and 1997 for the micro- and small 
enterprise development credit program.
  This program, which is administered by the Agency for International 
Development, has been a successful program emphasizing direct 
assistance to businesses owned by the poor in developing nations. Most 
of the businesses employ less than 10 individuals but help develop a 
strong entrepreneurial tradition in many countries.
  The microenterprises are very small, informally organized, 
nonagricultural businesses that employ a third of the labor force in 
lower income countries. As I heard one of my Republican colleagues say, 
it teaches these entities and individuals to fish and not merely to be 
given fish.
  The micro- and small enterprise development program, in conjunction 
with the private financial institutions, help provide full access to 
formal financial markets to small businesses that would not otherwise 
have such access.
  These small businesses participating in the MSED are run by and 
employed by the poor. This would help keep a stabilized atmosphere in 
developing nations and that is a sure way to ensure political and 
economic peace.
  If we are in fact to be a world power, it is important for us to 
stand on behalf of economic development in Third World and developing 
nations helping themselves. Again, we were not able today to rise to 
the support of the African Development Foundation, by adding to its 
budget $1,500,000 to increase it from the $5 million. This is a modest 
increase and it reflects the concern of Americans that we must be 
budget wise.
  However, this particular foundation, established in 1980, is a 
forward-thinking organization that delivers funds directly to self-help 
organizations in economically undeveloped countries in Africa.
  Since no funds are channeled through any foreign government, the ADF 
avoids any bureaucratic patterns in dispensing funds. This organization 
also has been instrumental in expanding ties and developing goodwill 
among the citizens of the United States and the citizens of many 
African countries.
  In the year 1995, ADF received $18 million. This year's budget 
proposes $7 million, leaving ADF with only $10 million. However, as we 
proceed in the years to come, the funding will go to $5 million, which 
would be a 50-percent reduction from fiscal year 1996.
  At this rate, Mr. Speaker, ADF, which has been very helpful, will 
simply go out of business.
  My amendment that was to be proposed was part of an effort to ensure 
that these countries are able to stand on their own two feet. It helped 
agricultural cooperative youth groups and self-help organizations. 
These groups have been effective stewards of these grants which range 
from $25,000 to $250,000.
  Moreover, the ADF conducts annual audits on how these community 
organizations utilize these funds and ADF has been pleased with the 
performance of the grantees. Many of my corporate constituents who do 
business in Africa and other Third World nations have indicated how 
important it is to maintain a stable climate, how important it is to 
have a responsible community in these countries so that we in America 
can do business and create jobs.
  My amendment would have helped the African Development Foundation and 
helped millions of Africans and Americans and support adequate 
development assistance which would ultimately improve foreign relations 
and commercial trade between Africa and the United States.
  I simply ask, as we move this legislation toward the U.S. Senate, 
that we enact responsible foreign policy. Yes, be efficient and 
effective with our dollars. We do not give away dollars recklessly and 
for no reason, but we do try to help those nations who are trying to 
help themselves.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the U.S. Senate devise a foreign aid bill 
that works for Americans and works for its allies.


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