[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1909-E1910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AFRICA SEEDS OF HOPE ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 1998

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mrs. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
4283, the Africa Seeds of Hope Act of 1998.
  There are important signs of human progress in Africa. Life 
expectancy has increased, the infant mortality rate decreased by nearly 
50%, we have seen sharp increases in educational advancement. Despite 
these advances, however, hunger and poverty still remain worse in 
Africa than on any other continent in the world.
  The Africa Seeds of Hope Act promotes sustainable growth and 
development in Sub-Saharan Africa while at the same time helping the 
agriculture community. This bill would also improve food security for 
children, women and needy households, and improve the agricultural 
productivity and incomes of the rural poor. Agriculture is the largest 
source of revenue in most Sub-Saharan African economies. It is safe to 
say, that unless the agricultural industries improve, many Sub-Saharan 
African countries will continue to economically deteriorate.
  The Africa Seeds of Hope Act has been endorsed by over two-hundred 
agricultural and humanitarian organizations with experiences in Africa.
  By dedicating resources aimed at agricultural research, financing 
rural area farms and food security, this bi-partisan legislation would 
work in tandem with our new trade initiatives

[[Page E1910]]

with Africa. The long-term partnerships that will be created because of 
this legislation will better enable the U.S. to evaluate the 
effectiveness of programs and allow us to design cost-effective 
techniques that can be used throughout our foreign aid programs.
  Mr. Speaker, the Africa Seeds of Hope Act of 1998 provides 
substantial economic benefits to Sub-Saharan Africa and promotes 
American foreign interests. This bill has received bipartisan support 
in this Congress and is consistent with our current African foreign 
policy. I strongly urge my colleagues to support it.

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