[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 13 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MEDICAL AID TO ETHIOPIA

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge and honor 
the achievement of Assist International, World Serv, the Hewlett 
Packard Foundation, and the Erie Area Chamber of Commerce in delivering 
medical aid to the people of Ethiopia. This group of organizations has 
worked to provide medical equipment to Ethiopia that can save hundreds 
of lives. This generous gift, valued at over one million dollars, will 
bring hope and health to many in Ethiopia.
  These organizations and the concerned Americans associated with them 
have demonstrated the true spirit of charity. The group cooperatively 
has donated a state-of-the-art cardiac heart monitoring unit to the 
Black Lion Hospital--Ethiopia's leading teaching medical facility. In 
addition to the cardiac unit, beds, mattresses, and other system 
support equipment will be provided.
  World Serv and Assist International have a strong history of 
providing humanitarian aid to relieve human suffering in needy 
countries. Assist International donated medical equipment to a site in 
Mongolia which was then approved by the World Health Organization to 
perform open heart surgery. The Hewlett Packard Foundation donated the 
medical equipment in the Black Lion Project in its goal to ease human 
suffering internationally. Finally, the Chamber of Commerce of Erie, 
Pennsylvania, has joined together with the other organizations and has 
raised the funding for transportation, installation, and training costs 
of this project. Specifically, I commend the Erie Area Chamber of 
Commerce for this cooperative effort and for holding the third annual 
``Aid to Africa'' banquet to raise funds for humanitarian projects.
  The Black Lion project is an example of the compassion and generosity 
that other countries appreciate and admire in the United States. It 
gives me great pleasure as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations 
Africa Subcommittee to know that Americans are finding ways within the 
private sector to aid other countries in Africa. It is my pleasure to 
ask the members of the Senate to join me in recognizing and honoring 
the work of the members and staff of Assist International, World Serv, 
the Hewlett Packard Foundation, and the Erie Area Chamber of Commerce.

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