[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK

 Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge October 
24-31 as the 13th annual observation of World Population Week. In 
particular, I draw to the attention of my colleagues the proclamation 
of World Population Awareness Week by the Governor of Nebraska, Ben 
Nelson. I ask that the full text of this proclamation be printed in the 
Record.
  The text follows:

       Whereas world population stands today at more than 5.9 
     billion and increases by more than 80 million per year, with 
     virtually all of this growth in the least developed 
     countries;
       Whereas the consequences of rapid population growth are not 
     limited to the developing world but extend to all nations and 
     to all people, including every citizen of the State of 
     Nebraska concerned for human dignity, freedom and democracy, 
     as well as for the impact on the global economy;
       Whereas 1.3 billion people--more than the combined 
     population of Europe and North Africa--live in absolute 
     poverty on the equivalent of one US dollar or less a day;
       Whereas 1.5 billion people--nearly one-quarter of the world 
     population--lack an adequate supply of clean drinking water 
     or sanitation;
       Whereas more than 840 million people--one-fifth of the 
     entire population of the developing world--are hungry or mal-
     nourished;
       Whereas this unmet demand for family planning is projected 
     to result in 1.2 billion unintended births;
       Whereas the 1994 International Conference on Population and 
     Development determined that political and appropriate 
     programs aimed at providing universal access to voluntary 
     family planning, information, education and services can 
     ensure world population stabilization at 8 billion or less 
     rather than 12 billion or more;
       Now, therefore, I, E. Benjamin Nelson, Governor of the 
     State of Nebraska, do hereby proclaim the week of October 25-
     31, 1998 as World Population Awareness Week, and urge 
     citizens of the State to take cognizance of this event and to 
     participate appropriately in its observance.

  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing World 
Population Awareness Week.

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