[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, one of the greatest problems facing 
the world is the staggering rate of population growth. Over 90 percent 
of all new births take place in developing countries, including many in 
countries that cannot even feed their people. The Earth's population is 
projected to double and possibly triple in the next century, with 
staggering implications for the world's food supply, environment, and 
the political and economic stability of every country.
  It is critically important that we recognize that what we do today 
will determine the kind of world inhabited by our children and 
grandchildren. World Population Awareness Week will be held from 
October 22 to October 29. It will focus on implementing the program of 
action of the International Conference on Population and Development 
and educating the public about the dangers of unchecked population 
growth.
  At a time when our foreign aid budget is being slashed, I was 
encouraged by the Senate's recent passage of my amendment to provide up 
to $35 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA 
is the largest voluntary family planning agency in the world. With 
programs in 140 countries, it provides family planning information and 
services to hundreds of millions of people who would otherwise have no 
access to family planning. By restoring funding for the UNFPA, the 
Senate has wisely chosen to support international efforts to reduce 
rates of population growth.
  Mr. President, I ask that a proclamation by Gov. Howard Dean of 
Vermont proclaiming October 22-29 World Population Week, be printed in 
the Record.
  The proclamation follows:
       Whereas the world's population of 5.7 billion is increasing 
     by nearly 100 million per year, with virtually all of this 
     growth added to the poorest countries and regions; and
       Whereas three billion people--the equivalent of the entire 
     world population as recently as 1960--will be reaching their 
     reproductive years within the next generation; and
       Whereas the environmental and economic impacts of this 
     growth will almost certainly prevent inhabitants of poorer 
     countries from improving their quality of life, and, at the 
     same time, have deleterious repercussions for the standard of 
     living in more affluent regions; and
       Whereas the 1994 International Conference on Population and 
     Development in Cairo, Egypt resulted in 180 nations approving 
     a 20-year Program of Action for achieving a more equitable 
     balance between the world's population, environment and 
     resources; and
       Whereas World Population Awareness activities this year 
     will focus on implementing the Cairo Conference Program of 
     Action.
       Now, therefore, I, Howard Dean, Governor, do hereby 
     proclaim the week of October 22-29, 1995 as World Population 
     Awareness Week.

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