[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10351-H10352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



          SUPPORT H.R. 1129, MICROCREDIT FOR SELF-RELIANCE ACT

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House today to support H.R. 
1129, the Microcredit for Self-Reliance Act which is up on suspension 
today. Microcredit is one of the universally recognized U.S. programs 
that has produced incredibly significant and positive results. This 
bill introduced by the gentleman from New York [Mr. Houghton] and the 
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hall] will continue the great work that has 
been done using this economic assistance plan.
  Microcredit provides small loans to people who want to start a 
business but would not be able to secure normal financing. It has 
worked well in Africa where it has been successfully used in many 
countries. It is especially effective in promoting women's rights and 
family development. I would also like

[[Page H10352]]

to recognize our own U.S. microcredit programs initiated by groups like 
Results of Miami, which has helped so many young women start their own 
businesses.
  Minorities in the United States benefit greatly from microcredit 
programs. In my hometown of Miami, Jamaican-Americans have started 
Caribbean food product stores, Haitians have opened acrylic nail shops 
which are so popular, Cuban-Americans have set up mom and pop hardware 
stores. It has been a success in Miami. It can succeed in your town, 
and we can export it across the oceans.

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