[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 APPROVING THE PRESIDENTIAL FINDING REGARDING THE POPULATION PLANNING 
                                PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration (H.J. Res. 36) approving 
     the Presidential finding that the limitation on obligations 
     imposed by section 518A(a) of the Foreign Operations, Export 
     Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997:

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of House Joint 
Resolution 36 to release funding for international family planning 
programs.
  Through family planning services, women and their families are given 
essential prenatal care and health services. Recognizing the importance 
of this effort, the United States has been the leader in providing 
family planning services throughout the world.
  In fact, since 1965, the United States has supported population 
planning assistance in developing nations. These programs provide the 
means for avoiding unintended pregnancies, and therefore, play an 
essential role in reducing abortions.
  Each year, over 580,000 women die from complications of pregnancy and 
childbirth. Ninety-nine percent of these women live in developing 
countries. Furthermore, in developing countries, more than 31,000 
children under the age of 5 die each day.
  Mr. Chairman, family planning reduces maternal and child mortality by 
educating women and their families about their reproductive choices. 
Furthermore, these programs provide essential medical resources to help 
infants with immunizations, nutrition, and disease control.
  If the funding for these important services is continued to be 
delayed, we will deny informed and effective use of reproductive and 
contraceptive services to couples who depend upon these programs. In 
fact, when contraceptive services are not available to women, abortion 
rates increase.
  Unfortunately, during last year's budget debate, abortion opponents 
cut international family planning funds by 35 percent, and mandated 
that fiscal year 1997 funds could not be spent until July 1997 unless 
President Clinton submitted a finding to Congress which demonstrated 
that the holding of these funds is having a negative impact on 
developing countries.
  As President Clinton has reported to Congress, any further delay in 
the access of family planning services will have a negative impact on 
population programs and will result in ``increased unintended 
pregnancies, more abortions, and higher numbers of maternal and infant 
deaths.''
  Mr. Chairman, this is not a vote on abortion. By law, these funds 
cannot be used to provide or promote abortions. Funding for these 
programs should be released immediately. The only way to reduce the 
number of abortions worldwide is to reduce the number of unwanted 
pregnancies. The most effective way to accomplish this is through 
family planning services.
  Mr. Chairman, the benefits of family planning are undeniable. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in supporting House Joint Resolution 36.

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