[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 99 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, today marks the 19th anniversary of 
the Soweto massacre where more than 100 black South African students--
children--were killed while protesting against the tyranny of South 
African apartheid. These children are martyrs to the cause of freedom 
and justice. Their sacrifices, along with those of many others, 
contributed to a far brighter future in South Africa than could have 
been foreseen at that time. And so, June 16 has been designated by the 
Organization of African Unity as the ``Day of the African Child.'' On 
this day, we not only mark the past, but we should also commit 
ourselves to creating a brighter future for the children of Africa.
  Our commemoration of the children of Soweto should be solemn, as we 
reflect on the loss of far too many African children to conflict and 
war, to disease, to famine, and to the neglect of a world that often 
cares more about amassing material wealth than about ensuring the 
health and well-being of all of its children. An African child deserves 
no less than any other child born anywhere else in the world. They 
deserve to be cared for, to be protected, to have adequate food, 
shelter, and health care, to have safe drinking water, to be educated, 
and to live in a peaceful world. Yet, a child born in sub-Saharan 
Africa has a life expectancy 20 years shorter than a child born in an 
industrialized country. An African child is 8 times less likely to 
survive infancy and 10 times less likely to survive beyond 5 years old 
than a child in an industrialized country. The mother of an African 
child is 29 times more likely to die in childbirth than the mother of a 
child in the industrialized country. As many as 30 percent of African 
children suffer from malnutrition. Only 45 percent of Africans have 
access to safe drinking water.

  Thanks to U.S. assistance, there has been progress in reducing the 
under-5 mortality rate, increasing child immunizations and increasing 
life expectancy over the last 30 years. But clearly, there is much work 
to be done. As we commemorate the Day of the African Child let us also 
recognize the very positive affect that our foreign assistance has on 
improving the prospects for Africa's children to have healthy, 
productive lives--to have no less than what we would want for our own 
children.
  The theme of this year's observance is ``Children in Armed 
Conflict.'' War has a devasting affect on children. Prior to 1945, most 
of the victims of war were soldiers. In the 160 wars and conflicts 
since 1945, 80 percent of the dead and wounded have been civilians--
most of them women and children. The effect of armed conflict on 
African women and children has been particularly devastating. Ninety-
two percent of the war-related deaths in Africa are women and children. 
In the Sudanese war, children die at 14 times the rate of government 
and guerrilla soldiers combined. Most often, in conflict zones children 
die as a result of the dispersal that leads to malnutrition and 
disease. Child mortality rates are highest in those countries that are 
ravaged by armed conflicts. As we observe the Day of the African Child 
let us also commit ourselves to playing whatever positive role we can 
through diplomacy, support for U.N. peacekeeping operations, or 
whatever measures appropriate to help resolve those conflicts that 
still remain on the African Continent. There has been great progress in 
ending conflicts on the African Continent over the last decade. Much 
more has to be done.

  I join today with the Organization of African Unity, the United 
Nations Children's Fund and all those who care about the health and 
well-being of all the world's children in recognizing June 16 as the 
Day of the African Child. I salute the U.S. Committee for UNICEF for 
its hard work in organizing today's celebration. Let us resolve to do 
all that we can to provide hope for Africa's children that they may 
have the kind of future that each of us wants for our own children.
  Mr. President, on the topic of aid to Africa, I would like to share 
with my colleagues a letter I received from a young lady, Miss Julie 
Haronik, from Moline, IL. Julie is 13 years old and she wrote to me 
asking that we maintain the Development Fund for Africa.

  I have received many letters supporting foreign aid to Africa over 
the last month. Julie's letter demonstrated how a child can sometimes 
be wiser, more caring, and more compassionate than many adults far 
older than herself. Among Julie's reasons for supporting aid to Africa, 
she says that, ``If you cut off aid some projects in Africa that have 
been started recently may fall apart without aid [before] they can 
sustain themselves.'' In the last paragraph of Julie's letter she 
writes:

       You may wonder why a thirteen year old would be concerned 
     about Africa. One reason is that I want society to be on 
     equal terms with all people when I am an adult. Another 
     reason is that if America ever needed an African resource I 
     would hope Africa would help us in our time of need. I also 
     hope for world peace which can be achieved only through 
     kindness, recognizing fellow humans, and helping those in 
     need.

  I am so proud of this young lady both for her world outlook and 
compassion for others, and for her willingness to write and participate 
in public debate on the political issues of the day. Mr. President, I 
ask that the full text of the letter be printed in the Record.
  The letter follows:

                                                       Moline, IL.
     Senator Paul Simon,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Simon: Although you may not realize it Africa 
     has come a long way, with outside aid. If you cut off aid 
     some projects in Africa that have been started recently may 
     fall part without aid until they can sustain themselves. 
     Africa still has a way to go, but it is a place of hope. 
     Please don't cut off aid to the Development Fund for Africa!
       The United States of America has a duty to itself and the 
     rest of the world. That duty is to help all people whether 
     they can repay debts or not. One tenth of one percent of the 
     budget is not very much money to give to those in need. 
     Africa doesn't just take aid from people it has been its own 
     resources, which are scarce. The government's duty is to make 
     sure Africa does not lose all aid, but develop enough not to 
     need it.
       You may wonder why a thirteen year old would be concerned 
     about Africa. One reason is that I want society to be on 
     equal terms with all people when I am an adult. Another 
     reason is that if America ever needed African resources I 
     would hope Africa would help us in our time of need. I also 
     hope for world peace which can be achieved only through 
     kindness, recognizing fellow humans, and helping those in 
     need. Thank you for your time.
           Sincerely,
     Julie Haronik.

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