[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 99 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FIFTH ANNUAL DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

                                 ______


                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 1995

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Fifth 
Annual Day of the African Child. Nineteen years ago today, a terrible 
tragedy ensued in Soweto, South Africa. June 16, 1976 marks the 
beginning of a 5 day riot during which South African police massacred 
almost 200 protestors, many of them children. The Day of the African 
Child is dedicated to their memory. By commemorating this day, we are 
also promoting cross-cultural awareness and celebrating Africa's 
progress in meeting the needs of its children.
  Unfortunatley, there are still many impediments to further progress. 
Violence still ravages the lives of many African children. In the past 
decade, 2 million African children died as a result of armed conflict, 
4 to 5 million were rendered physically disabled, and over 17 million 
were driven out of their homes. In addition, some 200,000 children 
under the age of 15 were forced into service in various African armies.
  Let us use this day, and all those after, to focus on the desperate 
situation of children in Africa. Let us all contribute to a better 
world for our children, where they can expect to live a life free of 
violence, and receive the benefits of education, good health care, and 
safe shelter.
  Although there is quite a distance to go, there have been some 
remarkable achievements in the last 35 years. In fact, U.S. development 
aid to Africa has been instrumental in helping millions of children 
live healthier and safer lives. For example, the death rate of children 
under 5 has been cut in half since 1960. The average life expectancy in 
Africa has risen to 54 years, an increase of 13 years since 1960. 
African governments provided safe water and adequate sanitation to an 
additional 120 million people during the 1980's, and now over 80 
percent of the children living in urban areas have access to safe 
water. In addition, about 69 percent of African girls are now enrolled 
in primary school, up from 44 percent in the 1970's.
  But this is still not enough. We must get behind this momentum of 
change we helped create and not stop until we have accomplished what we 
originally set out to do: to make this a safer world for our children. 
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commemorating today as 
the Day of the African Child. But, I also urge them to take one step 
further. Children are the world's most priceless resources, and we 
should honor them every day of the year.

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