[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 AMERICAN EMBASSY SECURITY ACT OF 1999

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                               speech of

                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2415) to 
     enhance security of United States missions and personnel 
     overseas, to authorize appropriations for the Department of 
     State for fiscal year 2000, and for other purposes.

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, there have long been concerns regarding the 
funding of the United Nations Population Fund and its family planning 
practices around the world. From 1986 to 1992, UNFPA received no United 
States funds because of its presence in China, where coercive 
population practices have been reported. In 1993, this administration 
let these family planning practices off the hook and funding was 
restored. Until the UNFPA provides concrete assurances that it was not 
engaged in, or does not provide funding for, abortions or coercive 
family planning programs. I can not support this additional funding to 
the UNFPA.
  Intense pressure to meet family planning targets set by the Chinese 
government has resulted in documented instances of officials using 
coercion, including forced abortion and sterilization, to meet 
government population goals.
  The family practices employed by the Chinese government are alarming. 
Poll after poll reveals that a significant portion of Americans believe 
abortion is morally wrong, and even more Americans would agree that 
federal tax dollars should not be used to fund abortions. This loophole 
in funding must be closed for the safety of unsuspecting mothers who 
are given little choice.
  I am adamantly opposed to any commitment of federal funds for the 
purpose of abortion services in the United States or abroad. I also 
oppose the deceptive actions of the United Nations family planning 
agencies that use their UN funding to pay the electric bill while 
diverting ``private funds'' to pay for their forceful family planning 
practices. How can I go back to my district and tell my constituents I 
don't have the resources to help protect our neighborhoods or for after 
school programs for our students, because we have to sent our federal 
dollars to the United Nations to perform abortions?
  I cannot support funding for the United Nations Population Fund until 
there are assurances and documented evidence that United States federal 
funds do not fund abortions half way around the world. I ask my 
colleagues to support the Smith-Barcia Amendment and to vote no on the 
Campbell-Gilman amendment.

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