[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E633-E634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CATHOLICS SUPPORT FOREIGN AID BILL

                                 ______


                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss the reasons Catholic 
Americans should support the Republican approach to foreign assistance 
funding.
  The most obvious Catholic concern on foreign policy relates to U.S. 
taxpayer funding of abortion overseas. Our foreign operations 
appropriations bill last year was held up for nearly 6 months because 
of disagreements on funding for abortion. The Smith-Callahan amendment 
sought to approach reinstatement of the Mexico City policy that 
provided not taxpayer dollars would go to any organization that used 
any funding source to perform abortions.
  Our bill also tried to strengthen restrictions against the U.N. Fund 
for Population Activities [UNFPA]. Specifically, we would prohibit the 
use of any American tax dollars provided to this organization that 
would support population programs in China. There is virtually no 
argument that Chinese policy promotes abortion and even coerced 
abortion and coerced sterilization as birth control measures. Under 
Republican foreign policy, this will not be tolerated.
  The foreign operations appropriations bill also established child 
survival as a separate priority and provided $484 million for child 
survival and disease programs. Our intent is to protect the most 
vulnerable in the world society through a variety of programs and to 
make sure these funds could not be rechanneled to less critical 
programs. We will continue this initiative in the fiscal year 1997 
bill.
  Finally, our bill provided funding for the Fund for Ireland to help 
the peace process succeed through economic development. American 
Catholics have a special interest in the situation in Northern Ireland 
and support United States efforts to make the peace process succeed. We 
were successful in appropriating $19.5 million for the International 
Fund for Ireland.
  As the national debt makes cuts in foreign aid inevitable, we must 
strive to ensure that limited dollars are spent wisely. Foremost, we 
must protect U.S. national security. In addition, we must be 
humanitanan, we must protect the unborn and the innocent, and we must 
seek to resolve conflict where possible. I think we did a good job last 
year on these priorities and I am confident we will continue these 
efforts.

[[Page E634]]



            HONORING THE SHORT MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I am taking this opportunity to applaud the 
invaluable services provided by the Short Mountain Volunteer Fire 
Department. These brave, civic minded people give freely of their time 
so that we may all feel safer at night.
  Few realize the depth of training and hard work that goes into being 
a volunteer firefighter. To quote one of my local volunteers, ``These 
fireman must have an overwhelming desire to do for others while 
expecting nothing in return.''
  Preparation includes twice-monthly training programs in which they 
have live drills, study the latest videos featuring the latest in 
firefighting tactics, as well as attend seminars where they can obtain 
the knowledge they need to save lives. Within a year of becoming a 
volunteer firefighter, most attend the Tennessee Fire Training School 
in Murfreesboro where they undergo further, intensified training.
  When the residents of my district go to bed at night, they know that 
should disaster strike and their home catch fire, well-trained and 
qualified volunteer fire departments are ready and willing to give so 
graciously and generously of themselves. This peace of mind should not 
be taken for granted.
  By selflessly giving of themselves, they ensure a safer future for us 
all. We owe these volunteer fire departments a debt of gratitude for 
their service and sacrifice.

                          ____________________