[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H9105-H9110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AFRICA SEEDS OF HOPE ACT OF 1998

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4283) to support sustainable and broad-based agricultural 
and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4283

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Africa: 
     Seeds of Hope Act of 1998''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents is as 
     follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and declaration of policy.

               TITLE I--ASSISTANCE FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sec. 101. Africa Food Security Initiative.
Sec. 102. Microenterprise assistance.
Sec. 103. Support for producer-owned cooperative marketing 
              associations.
Sec. 104. Agricultural and rural development activities of the Overseas 
              Private Investment Corporation.
Sec. 105. Agricultural research and extension activities.

     TITLE II--WORLDWIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE AND AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

           Subtitle A--Nonemergency Food Assistance Programs

Sec. 201. Nonemergency food assistance programs.

Subtitle B--Bill Emerson Humanitarian International Food Security Trust 
                              Act of 1998

Sec. 211. Short title.
Sec. 212. Amendments to the Food Security Commodity Reserve Act of 
              1996.

      Subtitle C--International Fund for Agricultural Development

Sec. 221. Review of the International Fund for Agricultural 
              Development.

                  TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Report.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The economic, security, and humanitarian interests of 
     the United States and the nations of sub-Saharan Africa would 
     be enhanced by sustainable, broad-based public and private 
     sector agricultural and rural development in each of the 
     African nations. The United States should support such 
     development.
       (2) According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the 
     number of undernourished people in Africa has more than 
     doubled, from approximately 100,000,000 in the late 1960s to 
     215,000,000 in 1998, and is projected to increase to 
     265,000,000 by the year 2010. According to the Food and 
     Agriculture Organization, the term ``under nutrition'' means 
     inadequate consumption of nutrients, often adversely 
     affecting children's physical and mental development, 
     undermining their future as productive and creative members 
     of their communities.
       (3)(A) Currently, agricultural production in Africa employs 
     about two-thirds of the workforce but produces less than one-
     fourth of the gross domestic product in sub-Saharan Africa, 
     according to the World Bank Group.
       (B) Africa's food imports are projected to rise from less 
     than 8,000,000 metric tons in 1990 to more than 25,000,000 
     metric tons by the year 2020.
       (4) African women produce up to 80 percent of the total 
     food supply in Africa according to the International Food 
     Policy Research Institute.
       (5) The most effective way to improve conditions of the 
     poor is to increase the productivity of the agricultural 
     sector. Productivity increases can be fostered by increasing 
     research and education in agriculture and rural development.
       (6)(A) In November 1996, the World Food Summit set a goal 
     of reducing hunger worldwide by 50 percent by the year 2015 
     and encouraged national governments to develop domestic food 
     plans and to support international aid efforts.
       (B) Since then, several agencies of the United Nations, 
     including the International Fund for Agricultural Development 
     (IFAD), whose mission is to provide the rural poor and women 
     in the developing world with cost-effective ways of 
     overcoming hunger, poverty, and malnutrition, have undertaken 
     a cooperative initiative on Africa.
       (7) Although the World Bank Group recently has launched a 
     major initiative to support agricultural and rural 
     development, only 10 percent, or $1,200,000,000, of its total 
     lending to sub-Saharan Africa for fiscal years 1993 to 1997 
     was devoted to agriculture.
       (8)(A) The future prosperity of the United States food 
     processing and agricultural sector is increasingly dependent 
     on exports and the liberalization of global trade.
       (B) Africa represents a huge potential market for United 
     States food and agricultural products.
       (9)(A) Increased private sector investment in African 
     countries and expanded trade between the United States and 
     Africa can greatly help African countries achieve food self-
     sufficiency and graduate from dependency on international 
     assistance.
       (B) Development assistance, technical assistance, and 
     training from bilateral governmental and multilateral 
     entities, as well as nongovernmental organizations and land-
     grant universities, can facilitate and encourage commercial 
     development in Africa, such as improving rural roads, 
     agricultural research and extension, and providing access to 
     credit and other resources.
       (10)(A) Several United States private voluntary 
     organizations have demonstrated success in empowering 
     Africans through direct business ownership and helping 
     African agricultural producers more efficiently and directly 
     market their products.
       (B) Rural business associations, owned and controlled by 
     farmer shareholders, also greatly aid agricultural producers 
     to increase their household incomes.
       (11)(A) Over a decade ago, the Development Fund for Africa 
     (DFA) was enacted into law ``to help the poor majority of men 
     and women in sub-Saharan Africa to participate in a process 
     of long-term development through economic growth that is 
     equitable, participatory, environmentally sustainable, and 
     self-reliant.''.
       (B) In recent years, political change and economic recovery 
     in Africa have amplified the importance of this policy 
     objective while generating new opportunities for its 
     advancement.
       (C) Despite these developments, funding for the Development 
     Fund for Africa has declined from a high of $811,000,000 for 
     1993 to approximately $635,000,000 for 1997.
       (12)(A) United States bilateral development and 
     humanitarian assistance to sub-Saharan Africa is 
     approximately one-tenth of 1 percent of the total annual 
     budget of the United States Government.
       (B) Funding for agricultural development worldwide by the 
     United States Agency for International Development has 
     declined from 36 percent of its total budget in 1988 to 15 
     percent in 1997.
       (13) The United States Agency for International Development 
     has initiated an Africa Food Security Initiative in an effort 
     to improve child nutrition and increase agricultural income 
     in Africa.

[[Page H9106]]

       (b) Declaration of Policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States, consistent with title XII of part I of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961, to support governments of sub-Saharan 
     African countries, United States and African nongovernmental 
     organizations, universities, businesses, and international 
     agencies, to help ensure the availability of basic nutrition 
     and economic opportunities for individuals in sub-Saharan 
     Africa, through sustainable agriculture and rural 
     development.
               TITLE I--ASSISTANCE FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

     SEC. 101. AFRICA FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVE.

       (a) Additional Requirements in Carrying Out the 
     Initiative.--In providing development assistance under the 
     Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or 
     successor program, the Administrator of the United States 
     Agency for International Development--
       (1) shall emphasize programs and projects that improve the 
     food security of infants, young children, school-age 
     children, women and food-insecure households, or that improve 
     the agricultural productivity, incomes, and marketing of the 
     rural poor in Africa;
       (2) shall solicit and take into consideration the views and 
     needs of intended beneficiaries and program participants 
     during the selection, planning, implementation, and 
     evaluation phases of projects; and
       (3) shall ensure that programs are designed and conducted 
     in cooperation with African and United States organizations 
     and institutions, such as private and voluntary 
     organizations, cooperatives, land-grant and other appropriate 
     universities, and local producer-owned cooperative marketing 
     and buying associations, that have expertise in addressing 
     the needs of the poor, small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, 
     and rural workers, including women.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, 
     if there is an increase in funding for sub-Saharan programs, 
     the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development should proportionately increase 
     resources to the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any 
     comparable or successor program, for fiscal year 2000 and 
     subsequent fiscal years in order to meet the needs of the 
     countries participating in such Initiative.

     SEC. 102. MICROENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Bilateral Assistance.--In providing microenterprise 
     assistance for sub-Saharan Africa, the Administrator of the 
     United States Agency for International Development shall, to 
     the extent practicable, use credit and microcredit assistance 
     to improve the capacity and efficiency of agriculture 
     production in sub-Saharan Africa of small-scale farmers and 
     small rural entrepreneurs. In providing assistance, the 
     Administrator should take into consideration the needs of 
     women, and should use the applied research and technical 
     assistance capabilities of United States land-grant 
     universities.
       (b) Multilateral Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator of the United States 
     Agency for International Development shall continue to work 
     with other countries, international organizations (including 
     multilateral development institutions), and entities 
     assisting microenterprises and shall develop a comprehensive 
     and coordinated strategy for providing microenterprise 
     assistance for sub-Saharan Africa.
       (2) Additional requirement.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
     the Administrator should encourage the World Bank 
     Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest to coordinate the 
     strategy described in such paragraph.

     SEC. 103. SUPPORT FOR PRODUCER-OWNED COOPERATIVE MARKETING 
                   ASSOCIATIONS.

       (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
       (1) to support producer-owned cooperative purchasing and 
     marketing associations in sub-Saharan Africa;
       (2) to strengthen the capacity of farmers in sub-Saharan 
     Africa to participate in national and international private 
     markets and to promote rural development in sub-Saharan 
     Africa;
       (3) to encourage the efforts of farmers in sub-Saharan 
     Africa to increase their productivity and income through 
     improved access to farm supplies, seasonal credit, technical 
     expertise; and
       (4) to support small businesses in sub-Saharan Africa as 
     they grow beyond microenterprises.
       (b) Support for Producer-Owned Cooperative Marketing 
     Associations.--
       (1) Activities.--
       (A) In general.--The Administrator of the United States 
     Agency for International Development is authorized to utilize 
     relevant foreign assistance programs and initiatives for sub-
     Saharan Africa to support private producer-owned cooperative 
     marketing associations in sub-Saharan Africa, including rural 
     business associations that are owned and controlled by farmer 
     shareholders.
       (B) Additional requirements.--In carrying out subparagraph 
     (A), the Administrator--
       (i) shall take into account small-scale farmers, small 
     rural entrepreneurs, and rural workers and communities;
       (ii) shall take into account the local-level perspectives 
     of the rural and urban poor through close consultation with 
     these groups, consistent with section 496(e)(1) of the 
     Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2293(e)(1)); and
       (iii) should take into consideration the needs of women.
       (2) Other activities.--In addition to carrying out 
     paragraph (1), the Administrator is encouraged--
       (A) to cooperate with governments of foreign countries, 
     including governments of political subdivisions of such 
     countries, their agricultural research universities, and 
     particularly with United States nongovernmental organizations 
     and United States land-grant universities, that have 
     demonstrated expertise in the development and promotion of 
     successful private producer-owned cooperative marketing 
     associations; and
       (B) to facilitate partnerships between United States and 
     African cooperatives and private businesses to enhance the 
     capacity and technical and marketing expertise of business 
     associations in sub-Saharan Africa.

     SEC. 104. AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES OF 
                   THE OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage 
     the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to work with 
     United States businesses and other United States entities to 
     invest in rural sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in ways that 
     will develop the capacities of small-scale farmers and small 
     rural entrepreneurs, including women, in sub-Saharan Africa.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation should 
     exercise its authority under law to undertake an initiative 
     to support private agricultural and rural development in sub-
     Saharan Africa, including issuing loans, guaranties, and 
     insurance, to support rural development in sub-Saharan 
     Africa, particularly to support intermediary organizations 
     that--
       (A) directly serve the needs of small-scale farmers, small 
     rural entrepreneurs, and rural producer-owned cooperative 
     purchasing and marketing associations;
       (B) have a clear track record of support for sound business 
     management practices; and
       (C) have demonstrated experience with participatory 
     development methods; and
       (2) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation should 
     utilize existing equity funds, loan and insurance funds, to 
     the extent feasible and in accordance with existing 
     contractual obligations, to support agriculture and rural 
     development in sub-Saharan Africa.

     SEC. 105. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Development of Plan.--The Administrator of the United 
     States Agency for International Development, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Agriculture and appropriate Department 
     of Agriculture agencies, especially the Cooperative State, 
     Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), shall 
     develop a comprehensive plan to coordinate and build on the 
     research and extension activities of United States land-grant 
     universities, international agricultural research centers, 
     and national agricultural research and extension centers in 
     sub-Saharan Africa.
       (b) Additional Requirements.--Such plan shall seek to 
     ensure that--
       (1) research and extension activities will respond to the 
     needs of small-scale farmers while developing the potential 
     and skills of researchers, extension agents, farmers, and 
     agribusiness persons in sub-Saharan Africa;
       (2) sustainable agricultural methods of farming will be 
     considered together with new technologies in increasing 
     agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa; and
       (3) research and extension efforts will focus on 
     sustainable agricultural practices and will be adapted to 
     widely varying climates within sub-Saharan Africa.
     TITLE II--WORLDWIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE AND AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
           Subtitle A--Nonemergency Food Assistance Programs

     SEC. 201. NONEMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--In providing nonemergency assistance under 
     title II of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance 
     Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.), the Administrator of the 
     United States Agency for International Development shall 
     ensure that--
       (1) in planning, decisionmaking, and implementation in 
     providing such assistance, the Administrator takes into 
     consideration local input and participation directly and 
     through United States and indigenous private and voluntary 
     organizations;
       (2) each of the nonemergency activities described in 
     paragraphs (2) through (6) of section 201 of such Act (7 
     U.S.C. 1721), including programs that provide assistance to 
     people of any age group who are otherwise unable to meet 
     their basic food needs (including feeding programs for the 
     disabled, orphaned, elderly, sick and dying), are carried 
     out; and
       (3) greater flexibility is provided for program and 
     evaluation plans so that such assistance may be developed to 
     meet local needs, as provided for in section 202(f) of such 
     Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(f)).
       (b) Other Requirements.--In providing assistance under the 
     Agriculture Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of United 
     States Agency for International Development shall ensure that 
     commodities are provided in a manner that is consistent

[[Page H9107]]

     with sections 403 (a) and (b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1733 (a) 
     and (b)).
Subtitle B--Bill Emerson Humanitarian International Food Security Trust 
                              Act of 1998

     SEC. 211. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Bill Emerson 
     Humanitarian International Food Security Trust Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 212. BILL EMERSON HUMANITARIAN TRUST ACT.

       (a) In General.--Section 302 of the Agricultural Act of 
     1980 (7 U.S.C. 1736f-1) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``or Funds'' 
     after ``Commodities'';
       (B) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) funds made available under paragraph (2)(B).''; and
       (C) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Subject to 
     subsection (h), commodities'' and inserting ``Commodities''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) Funds.--Any funds used to acquire eligible 
     commodities through purchases from producers or in the market 
     to replenish the trust shall be derived--
       ``(i) with respect to fiscal year 2000 and subsequent 
     fiscal years, from funds made available to carry out the 
     Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 
     U.S.C. 1691 et seq.) that are used to repay or reimburse the 
     Commodity Credit Corporation for the release of eligible 
     commodities under subsections (c)(2) and (f)(2), except that, 
     of such funds, not more than $20,000,000 may be expended for 
     this purpose in each of the fiscal years 2000 through 2003 
     and any such funds not expended for the fiscal year allocated 
     shall be available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal 
     years; and
       ``(ii) from funds authorized for that use by an 
     appropriations Act.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)(2)--
       (A) by striking ``assistance.--Notwithstanding'' and 
     inserting the following: ``assistance.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Limitation.--The Secretary may release eligible 
     commodities under subparagraph (A) only to the extent such 
     release is consistent with maintaining the long-term value of 
     the trust.'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) subject to the need for release of commodities from 
     the trust under subsection (c)(1), for the management of the 
     trust to preserve the value of the trust through acquisitions 
     under subsection (b)(2).'';
       (4) in subsection (f)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``of the trust'' after 
     ``Reimbursement'' in the heading; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``and the funds shall 
     be available to replenish the trust under subsection (b)'' 
     before the end period; and
       (5) by striking subsection (h).
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Title III of the Agricultural Act of 1980 (7 U.S.C. 
     1736f-1 et seq.) is amended by striking the title heading and 
     inserting the following:
            ``TITLE III--BILL EMERSON HUMANITARIAN TRUST''.
       (2) Section 301 of the Agricultural Act of 1980 (7 U.S.C. 
     1736f-1 note) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       ``This title may be cited as the `Bill Emerson Humanitarian 
     Trust Act'.''.
       (3) Section 302 of the Agricultural Act of 1980 (7 U.S.C. 
     1736f-1) is amended--
       (A) in the section heading, by striking ``RESERVE'' and 
     inserting ``TRUST'';
       (B) by striking ``reserve'' each place it appears (other 
     than in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(1)) and 
     inserting ``trust'';
       (C) in subsection (b)--
       (i) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Reserve'' and 
     inserting ``Trust'';
       (ii) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``reserve,'' and 
     inserting ``trust,''; and
       (iii) in the paragraph heading of paragraph (2), by 
     striking ``reserve'' and inserting ``trust''; and
       (D) in the subsection heading of subsection (e), by 
     striking ``Reserve'' and inserting ``Trust''.
       (4) Section 208(d)(2) of the Agricultural Trade Suspension 
     Adjustment Act of 1980 (7 U.S.C. 4001(d)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``Food Security Commodity Reserve Act of 1996'' and 
     inserting ``Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1736f-1 et seq.)''.
       (5) Section 901b(b)(3) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 
     U.S.C. App. 1241f(b)(3)), is amended by striking ``Food 
     Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 (7 U.S.C. 1736f-1)'' and 
     inserting ``Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act (7 U.S.C. 
     1736f-1 et seq.)''.
                  TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 301. REPORT.

       Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development, in consultation with the heads of 
     other appropriate agencies, shall prepare and submit to 
     Congress a report on how the Agency plans to implement 
     sections 101, 102, 103, 105, and 201 of this Act, the steps 
     that have been taken toward such implementation, and an 
     estimate of all amounts expended or to be expended on related 
     activities during the current and previous 4 fiscal years.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hamilton) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises in strong support of the 
Africa Seeds of Hope Act, H.R. 4283, which was introduced by this 
Member and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hamilton), the distinguished 
ranking member of the full committee, and the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the Committee on International Relations, 
and many others.
  This legislation was overwhelmingly passed by the House Committee on 
International Relations on July 22, 1998, and it was discharged by the 
House Committee on Agriculture on September 11, 1998. It currently has 
over 100 bipartisan cosponsors.
  Additionally, an earlier version of the legislation, H.R. 3636, has 
other cosponsors. The bills are very much similar. A companion bill was 
introduced by the junior Senator from Ohio, Mr. Dewine, and the senior 
Senator from Maryland, Mr. Sarbanes, on July 9, 1998. That legislation 
currently has 16 bipartisan cosponsors.
  The Africa Seeds of Hope Act helps U.S. agriculture while promoting 
sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa so Africans can be less 
dependent on U.S. humanitarian assistance in the future. That is why 
H.R. 4283 has the support of both agricultural and humanitarian 
organizations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This win-win 
combination of grassroots supporters has been the foundation of 
America's long-term, goodwill-building, humanitarian food aid efforts 
since World War II.
  The Africa Seeds of Hope Act has been endorsed by over 220 
agricultural and humanitarian organizations, including the Association 
for International Agriculture and Rural Development, the Coalition for 
Food Aid, numerous land grant colleges and universities, InterAction, 
and major U.S. private voluntary agencies such as CARE, World Vision, 
ACDI/VOCA, Catholic Relief Services, Technoserve, Africare, OXFAM, 
Islamic African Relief Agency USA, and the Mormon World Hunger 
Committee.
  In addition, this legislation has the support of most Christian 
denominations, Catholic religious communities, and mission groups. And 
editorial pages from over 20 major newspapers across the country have 
endorsed H.R. 4283.
  Mr. Speaker, a recent article in the Washington Post entitled 
``Africa's Agricultural Rebirth'' quoted a Vice-Minister of Agriculture 
from Ethiopia as saying, ``You cannot detach economic development from 
food self-sufficiency.'' That profound truth is the essence of the 
Africa Seeds of Hope Act.
  There may be some people who believe or give the impression they 
believe that an admittedly very important trade liberalization effort 
alone can remedy all of Africa's woes. I support such legislation. But 
I would say that equally wrongheaded are some in the nongovernmental 
organization community who initially expressed their opposition to 
trade liberalization, saying it would hurt Africa's poor.
  The Africa Seeds of Hope Act bridges these disparate and 
unnecessarily conflicting ideological points of view with a reconciling 
view. That view is that liberalized trade plus targeted foreign 
assistance to Africa's small farmers together can best serve sub-
Saharan Africa and make it prosper.
  Several months ago, with the support of this Member, the House of 
Representatives passed the Africa Trade Growth and Opportunities Act. 
In doing so, the House took the very important step towards greater 
trade with a continent in desperate need of

[[Page H9108]]

private-sector led economic growth. By focusing on sustainable 
agriculture, research, rural finance, and food security, the Africa 
Seeds of Hope Act is directly aimed at helping the 76 percent of the 
sub-Saharan African people who are small farmers, thus providing 
another important step towards increased African trade.
  Improving the efficiency of these farmers is crucial to ensuring that 
our overall strategy, our trade strategy, is successful. As a longtime 
supporter of aid to Africa through the creation of the Development Fund 
for Africa out of the House International Relations Committee on a 
bipartisan bill some years ago, and other mechanisms, I tell my 
colleagues that I believe H.R. 4283, in conjunction with our new trade 
initiatives, will help coordinate and focus America's resources on both 
trade and aid in Africa.
  If trade is to prosper in sub-Saharan Africa, we need to better 
direct our scarce aid resources so that they stimulate private-sector 
development and investment or help ease the suffering in those places 
either overlooked by the private sector or suffering from natural 
disasters.
  Our legislation attempts to refine our assistance programs for sub-
Saharan Africa and ensure that agriculture and rural development are 
not neglected. For example, this legislation requires the Agency for 
International Develop, AID, to reverse its negative funding trend for 
agricultural research and development. This will address the legitimate 
concerns of U.S. land grant institutions and the Agency for 
International Development, which is increasingly ignoring sustainable 
agriculture in its development mandate.
  Also, the micro-enterprise program is recognized by this legislation 
and emphasized as an excellent tool to help remedy rural finance and 
investment shortcomings in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, H.R. 4283 
attempts to better coordinate our international agriculture research 
programs with our domestic agriculture research so that farmers in 
Africa as well as farmers in the United States can benefit from AID-
funded agriculture research.
  The Africa Seeds of Hope Act refocuses our food assistance programs 
on long-term development assistance instead of being evaluated on the 
basis of short-term or immediate results that are often antithetical to 
their original purpose. This will enable nongovernmental organizations 
and private voluntary organizations to design and implement food 
assistance programs that are cost-effective and ultimately succeed in 
graduating people and countries from those programs.
  Finally, H.R. 4283 also establishes a Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust 
in honor of the late distinguished and much admired Congressman from 
Missouri who was a leader in America's food aid efforts. This important 
mechanism allows the USDA to purchase surplus agricultural commodities 
when prices are low, isolate them from the market, and distribute them 
at times of international disasters and famines. This cost-effective 
mechanism is especially beneficial to U.S. farmers because it takes 
U.S. commodities off the market when commodity prices are at their 
lowest, such as now.
  The Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust I think is a worthy tribute to 
our late colleague. And this gentleman would like to thank the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson) for allowing us 
to further honor her late husband in this manner.
  Finally, this Member would like to thank first and foremost the 
distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hamilton) for working with me 
in helping us to refine this legislation, and beyond that to thank the 
distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney), and the 
distinguished gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Clayton), for their 
special efforts with the Congressional Black Caucus on behalf of the 
Africa Seeds of Hope Act.
  This Member would also like to thank the distinguished gentlewoman 
from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) and the distinguished gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for their work with the 
Congressional Women's Caucus on behalf of the legislation.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the Africa Seeds of Hope Act is 
legislation that benefits farmers in Africa as well as the United 
States. If my colleagues have any questions about this measure, this 
Member urges them to read the supportive letter from the USDA signed by 
Secretary Glickman that the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hamilton) and 
this Member are making available on the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons and others, I surge my 
colleagues to support the Africa Seeds of Hope Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support the bill. I want 
to begin by commending my good friend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter) for his outstanding work in writing this bill, his leadership 
in bringing it to the floor today. He really has done exceptional work. 
And I want to thank him also for working closely with me and my staff 
to craft a bipartisan bill.

                              {time}  1330

  He deserves most of the credit for the bill that we hopefully are 
about to pass.
  The bill has very broad support, as the gentleman from Nebraska 
(Chairman Bereuter) mentioned, I think 103 cosponsors in the House, 19 
cosponsors in the Senate, and it has been endorsed by 220 agricultural 
and humanitarian organizations. It is my understanding that the 
administration supports the bill as well.
  It has certainly received very wide praise and support in the press.
  The bill strengthens U.S. humanitarian assistance, it promotes U.S. 
agriculture, and it provides for a sustainable common-sense policy with 
regard to development in sub-Saharan Africa.
  The purpose of the bill I think is twofold: First, the bill seeks to 
promote sustainable agricultural development and food security in sub-
Saharan Africa; and, second, it replaces the Food Security Commodity 
Reserve with the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust. Apart from the rest 
of the bill, the trust has its own benefits, which I will mention in a 
moment.
  The Africa Seeds of Hope Act promotes the goals I have laid out in 
four ways.
  First, it promotes long-term economic development by strengthening 
agriculture and rural markets. This bill requires the development of a 
micro-enterprise strategy for Africa and provides support for producer-
owned marketing associations. It also directs the Department of 
Agriculture to ensure that international and U.S. agricultural research 
is coordinated to respond to the needs of African farmers and supports 
their self-reliance.
  Second, the bill maximizes the efficiency of current aid programs. 
Rather than ask for more aid, the bill bolsters the existing Africa 
food security initiative. It directs U.S. agencies to target their 
resources and programs to those who need it most, women, children and 
the poor.
  Third, the bill requires that U.S. aid programs be developed and 
conducted in consultation with the African people and with 
nongovernmental organizations that have expertise in addressing the 
needs of the poor, small scale farmers and rural workers. By ensuring 
that agricultural programs target and include the community they are 
designed to serve, we move closer to ending hunger in Africa.
  Fourth, the bill improves the current Food Security Commodity Reserve 
by establishing the Bill Emerson Trust Fund. The trust allows the 
United States to respond to humanitarian crises in the early stages and 
paves the way for a more rapid and less costly recovery. It also helps 
American farmers, by giving the Department of Agriculture the ability 
to buy commodities from the market when prices are low. The problem 
with the reserve today is the manner in which it is replenished. When 
the reserve releases commodities today, P.L. 480 food assistance 
program funds cannot be used to replenish the reserve. The Seeds of 
Hope Act sets up a new trust that can be replenished. This bill gives 
the government the ability to purchase commodities on the market when 
prices are low, such as this year. The replenishment authority is 
limited to $20 million for each fiscal year 2000 through 2003, allowing 
it to stay within reasonable budgetary constraints.

[[Page H9109]]

  This change has two benefits. First, the trust now sets up an orderly 
way to respond to humanitarian crises without disrupting local markets. 
Second, the trust can now be operated in a businesslike manner. 
Commodities can be purchased in advance when prices are low, taken off 
the market and set aside to respond to humanitarian crises.
  This is an important bill, particularly in the year when the 
president visited sub-Saharan Africa focusing U.S. attention on the 
continent. We should build on that focus by passing a bill to improve 
U.S. assistance to sub-Saharan Africa and to provide the President with 
increased humanitarian tools.
  It is also important because if this bill were in place today, we 
would be able to help support American farms by purchasing commodities 
on the U.S. market when the prices are low.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I say to the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield three minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman 
from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton), one of the sponsors of the bill.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  I wish to thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hamilton) for their leadership in bringing 
this bill to the floor and for us having this opportunity to vote on 
it.
  First I want to acknowledge and salute the distinguished ranking 
member of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Hamilton), who is retiring at the end of the 105th 
Congress. As the son of a Methodist minister, he was instilled with 
values that have served him well in his 34 years as a Member of the 
U.S. House of Representatives. His love of people and his love of 
country, his belief in decency and human dignity, his commitment to do 
the right thing for the right reason, has been unmistakably his mark in 
the Congress. As the director of the Wilson Center, I am certain that 
he will continue his leadership on humanitarian endeavors. The Africa 
Seeds of Hope legislation that we consider is but one example of his 
leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation, which 
promotes sustainable agricultural development and food security in sub-
Saharan Africa. Agriculture is the key to most of the African 
economies. Statistics show that the number of people starving in sub-
Saharan Africa with inadequate access to basic food has doubled to 215 
million persons since 1973. If current trends continue, that number 
will increase by some additional 50 million people over the next 12 
years.
  Africa Seeds of Hope seeks to boost sustainable agriculture and food 
security through coordinated U.S. assistance programs and the 
involvement of the African people. It directs the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture to develop a plan for coordinating agriculture research to 
respond to the needs of African farmers and support self-reliance. It 
targets limited foreign aid monies on proven strategies for enabling 
self-sufficiency through microcredit loans to small entrepreneurs, the 
engines of economic development.
  This will give small farms and entrepreneurs, especially women, 
access to credit loans and other resources necessary to stimulate 
agricultural production and small enterprises. In addition, this bill 
requires the U.S. aid programs be developed and conducted in 
consultation with the African people and with a nongovernmental 
organization that has demonstrated expertise in addressing the needs of 
the poor, small scale farmers and rural workers. It also establishes 
the Emerson Trust, honoring the work of our former representative and 
colleague, Representative Emerson, for the work he has provided for 
hunger worldwide.
  Passage of this legislation will increase self-reliance of the 
African people and will help reduce the chance of a food crisis. In the 
long run, it can also strengthen trade between the United States and 
Africa.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Africa Seeds of Hope Act. It 
deserves the support of all our colleagues.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing), a 
cosponsor, who has been very supportive and helpful in the crafting of 
this legislation.
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time, 
and I congratulate the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hamilton) for bringing forth this 
legislation, H.R. 4283.
  This bill is supported by over 220 academic institutions, including 
the University of Illinois in my district. Nongovernmental and private 
voluntary organizations and the United States Department of Agriculture 
also support this bill.
  Action on this bill is meant to address a very legitimate concern 
that some of the academic institutions have, such as the University of 
Illinois, they are land grant universities, that the Agency for 
International Development has increasingly ignored sustainable 
agriculture in its development mandate.
  This bill, the Africa Seeds of Hope Act, goes a long way in helping 
American agriculture, while promoting sustainable development in sub-
Saharan Africa. Nations will be less dependent on U.S. humanitarian 
needs in the future.
  Under Public Law 480, Title II, food aid is provided to people in the 
poorest regions of the world largely through programs conducted by 
private volunteer organizations. H.R. 4283 helps make these programs 
more efficient. The Africa Seeds of Hope Act would direct that the U.S. 
Agency for International Development be more flexible in its 
administration of Title II so that private voluntary organizations can 
develop programs that best meet local needs and provide humanitarian 
relief.
  The legislation's purview corrects the view that liberalized trade 
plus targeted foreign assistance towards Africa's small farmers can 
best help Africa prosper and grow as a region.
  I want to thank again the sponsors of this bill. This is a good piece 
of legislation, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in 
overwhelmingly passing this bill.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by thanking all of my colleagues 
who supported this legislation, and especially to recognize the 
important and, in fact, crucial role that my distinguished colleague, 
the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hamilton) has played. He has made many 
contributions to public life in this country through his role here as a 
Member the House of Representatives. We will miss him greatly. Here is 
one more contribution he has helped us make.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this 
measure because it directs our Nation's government to place a higher 
priority on assisting the agricultural and rural development of the 
sub-Saharan African regions. It is imperative that we continue to 
support those in need across the globe.
  The past twenty-five years have been trying for many of the people in 
sub-Saharan Africa. Over 215 million people have had inadequate access 
to food. This situation is unacceptable.
  As Americans and fellow members of the human race, we can advocate 
and make changes in Africa. We can touch the lives of those who live in 
extreme poverty miles from our shores.
  This year, individuals and congregations across the country have 
worked together to form Bread for the World's Offering of Letters, 
Africa: Seeds of Hope. Thousands of citizens have written those of us 
here at Congress, and they have supported aid to Africa. These voices 
cannot go unheard. It is time for us to respond.
  By requiring the Agency for International Development (AID) to use 
credit and microcredit assistance to improve the capacity and 
efficiency of agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa of small-
scale farmers and small rural entrepreneurs. This aid is integral to 
the development of Africa because the majority of Africans are 
dependent on agriculture for both food and income. Africa cannot 
prosper if its agriculture does not prosper first.
  Agriculture is the largest sector of sub-Saharan African economies. 
Achieving food security in Africa will require a tripling of Africa's 
food supply by 2050. Although this goal seems insurmountable, I am 
certain that we can fulfill it if we allocate the proper resources.
  This measure also takes into consideration the needs of women. I 
appreciate this portion of the measure because in many African

[[Page H9110]]

countries, eighty percent of food is produced by women farmers. 
Ignoring this important sector of the population would result in the 
utter failure of the assistance to Africa project. Women spend a 
significant part of the income they earn on food for the family. In 
comparison, men spend far less. Studies indicate a direct correlation 
between increased incomes for women and improvements in family food 
security. By making good agricultural land and resources to women, we 
can make great strides toward improving Africa's current plight.
  This measure also emphasizes programs and projects that improve the 
food security of infants, young children, school-age children. It is 
scientifically clear that good nutrition is vital to the development of 
children. In African countries where people live on less than $1 a day, 
children simply cannot obtain the necessary nourishment. It is 
appalling that children go hungry, and such a situation is intolerable. 
By assisting Africa, we can provide the necessary food and nourishment 
that will feed the bodies and spirits of these children.
  Providing greater assistance to sub-Saharan Africa will allow its 
countries to further develop their agricultural methods. Increased 
agricultural research is necessary to provide sustainable agricultural 
production. Financial assistance from America would allow these 
countries to introduce both the necessary studies and the subsequent 
agricultural methods developed by such research.
  I also applaud this measure's commitment to emergency food aid. It is 
important that we streamline this program so we can more rapidly and 
effectively respond to food emergencies. U.S. food aid to Africa alone 
has saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
  Food aid, coupled with long-term solutions such as the development of 
agricultural methods, will ensure that Africa will strengthen its 
agricultural foundation. I applaud proponents of this measure for 
recognizing the elements necessary for the revitalization of Africa.
  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4283, 
the Africa Seeds of Hope Act, of which I am pleased to be an original 
co-sponsor. Passage of this bill, will be a small but important step 
forward for United States assistance to Africa, and for the United 
States' interests in helping Africa's poorest to help themselves.
  House passage of this legislation will also be a fitting tribute to 
our greatly respected colleague, and Ranking Member of the Committee on 
International Relations, the Honorable Lee Hamilton of Indiana. This 
legislation comes before us today, thanks to his leadership and hard 
work, and that of Representative Doug Bereuter of Nebraska.
  Congressman Hamilton's voice of wisdom, reason, and integrity will be 
sorely missed in this institution, which he served with such 
distinction throughout his remarkable career. His perspectives on 
national and international issues alike consistently reflected the 
midwestern values, pragmatism, and concern for social justice for which 
he is so widely known and admired. Those values are reflected as well 
in the Africa Seeds of Hope Act, a well-reasoned package of proposals 
aimed at helping Africa's poor rural majority to help themselves.
  The United States' renewed focus on trade and investment in Africa 
holds much long-term promise for African development, and I hope we 
eventually pass the Africa Trade bill that has been before Congress 
this year. However, even the best trade strategy will fail if it leaves 
Africa's poor majority behind, or weakens our commitments to 
humanitarian and development assistance in Africa. Because despite 
impressive gains in some countries, Africa is still home to too many of 
the world's poor and hurting. Our policies toward Africa cannot 
overlook the alarming facts that: Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region 
where the nutritional situation has deteriorated in the past three 
decades, and this slide will continue without greater policy attention 
and direct intervention. One of every five African children dies before 
his or her fifth birthday, and Africa's infant and child mortality 
rates are the world's highest (one and a half times the world average). 
One-third of all Sub-Saharan African children under age five suffer 
from malnutrition. Half of Africa's children are not immunized against 
polio, tetanus, and measles.
  These realities require immediate attention if the benefits of trade- 
and investment-led development are to reach Africa's poor, largely 
rural, majority. Without a strong and vibrant agriculture sector, 
Africa cannot thrive. To that end, the Africa Seeds of Hope Act is 
designed to better focus existing programs of assistance to Africa on 
small-holder agriculture and the rural producers who are the backbone 
of most African economies.
  I have been privileged to travel throughout much of the African 
continent over the years, and everywhere--even in the midst of wars and 
famines--I have found its people to be resilient, resourceful, and 
industrious. This bill is a small but important step in helping to 
unleash Africa's vast potential to feed itself, to thrive, and to 
prosper as a trading partner of increasing importance to our own 
economy.
  I salute Congressmen Hamilton and Bereuter for their leadership on 
this important bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Finally, 
my thanks and appreciation also go to Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio, for 
introducing a Senate version of this bill, S. 2283, and for his 
commitment to moving this legislation in the Senate. I am grateful for 
his humanitarian vision and leadership in the Senate, and his ethic of 
care and concern for the poor and the hurting.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4283.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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