[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 137 (Tuesday, October 12, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12428-S12429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE 6 BILLIONTH PERSON

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, at 12:02 AM this morning the six 
billionth person was born. It was a boy, in Sarajevo.
  It took hundreds of thousands of years for the world's population to 
reach 1 billion, but it has taken less than 40 years for it to double 
from 3 to 6 billion people. This is a staggering number with 
implications that are impossible to fully grasp or predict.
  What we do know, however, is that 95 percent of new births are 
occurring in developing countries that are least equipped to deal with 
the consequences. From sub-Saharan Africa to Asia, people's most basic 
needs continue to go unmet.
  Of the 4.8 billion people in developing countries, it is estimated 
that nearly 60 percent lack basic sanitation. Almost a third do not 
have access to clean water. A quarter do not have adequate housing and 
a fifth--about 1 billion people--have no access to modern health 
services.
  We also know that population pressures threaten every aspect of the 
Earth's environment. Severe water shortages, shrinking forests, soil 
degradation, air and water pollution and the daily loss of animal and 
plant life have changed the face of the planet and contributed to 
famine, social unrest and massive displacement of people.
  This is not to minimize the progress that has been made in slowing 
population growth rates. Thanks in large part to the availability of 
modern contraceptives, the average number of births per woman has 
declined from 6 to 3. In addition, people today enjoy longer, healthier 
lives than ever before. Women have more opportunities and choices. 
Technology has enhanced access to medical care, education and 
employment. In every corner of the globe, we have seen the dramatic 
successes that have been achieved through vigorous, well-funded foreign 
assistance programs.
  But the disparities between haves and have nots is growing. Given 
what we know about the inextricable link between population growth, 
poverty, political instability, lack of social justice and 
environmental degradation, it is astonishing to me that every year 
there are those in Congress who continue to oppose funding for 
international family planning.
  It is inexplicable that even though the world's population has 
doubled since 1960, Members of Congress, especially in the House, 
vociferously oppose funding the United Nations Population Fund which 
promotes access to voluntary reproductive health services for women 
around the world. They do so because UNFPA has a small program in 
China, which supports women's health, modern contraceptives, and other 
voluntary family planning services. It makes absolutely no sense, since 
these are precisely the interventions that reduce reliance on abortion 
as a method of family planning.
  And this year's Foreign Operation's bill contains only $385 million 
for the Agency for International Development's family planning 
programs, a $150 million cut from what it was just five years ago.
  It is a travesty that so many people around the world want family 
planning services and still cannot get them. Time and again it has been 
proven that when these services are available the number of abortions 
declines, lives are saved and opportunities for women, children and 
families dramatically increase.
  It is also shortsighted. The decisions we make today will determine 
how long it will be before another billion people occupy this planet 
and whether our children and grandchildren are born into a world of 
poverty and deprivation or a world of opportunity and prosperity.
  Mr. President, today is a sobering reminder of the need for the 
United States to resume its leadership in support of international 
family planning. We have the ability to help improve the lives of 
billions of people both now and in the future.

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