[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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