[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 1998

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the African Development 
Foundation (ADF) and appeal that it be funded at the full request of 
$14 million. ADF plays a unique role within the United States 
government foreign aid programs. It is the only agency providing 
assistance directly at the community level to alleviate poverty and 
promote economic and social empowerment in Africa. It uses an approach 
premised on self-help and fosters self-reliance and local ownership. 
ADF has an impressive track record of high-impact projects that are 
sustained by the local community.
  Working in fourteen countries, full funding of ADF will leverage an 
additional $2.0 million from external sources and will finance almost 
100 innovative projects that will benefit tens of thousands of poor 
Africans. ADF efforts are focused in four areas:
  Promoting micro and small enterprise development to generate jobs and 
income for poor women, unemployed youth and other marginalized groups;
  Expanding the participation of small African enterprises and 
producers groups in trade and investment relationships with the U.S. 
and within Africa;
  Improving community-based natural resource management for sustainable 
development; and
  Strengthening civil society and local governance to reinforce 
democratic structures and values.
  I would like to strongly endorse the excellent work of the ADF and 
encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. In 
conclusion, I ask you to join me in supporting full funding for the 
African Development Foundation.

                          ____________________