[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H1624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO FRANK GIARRIZZO

  (Mr. MANZULLO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor of the House today to 
commend the extraordinary work of Frank Giarrizzo in his efforts to 
alleviate hunger in Africa.
  Ten years ago, Frank served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi. 
Frank witnessed firsthand the despair brought on by the ``hungry 
season.'' This is the time when the people run out of the food they 
have grown, and do not have the money to buy anything until their next 
crop is ready.
  Rather than succumb to the hopelessness of the situation, Frank used 
it as motivation to solve the problem. He established a program in 
Malawi known as VEZA, or Village Enterprise Zone Associations. This 
nongovernment organization works in conjunction with local member 
associations to help farmers increase production. He helps erect silos 
in which locally grown grain will be stored until there is a food 
shortage, such as in the hungry season. The money received for the 
grain will help to refill the silos after the next harvest. These and 
other initiatives are all a part of VEZA's aim to alleviate hunger.
  It is important to understand that thousands of people in Malawi are 
alive today thanks to Frank's determination. It is a living example of 
how one person can truly make a difference.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I want to thank 
Frank Giarrizzo for his selfless efforts to improve the lives of 
others.

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