[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H2601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   OCCASION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FARMERS FOR AFRICA ACT OF 2000

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Madam Speaker, in this era of global economies, nations 
are becoming more interconnected and interdependent on one another. It 
is critical, therefore, that the economies of the developing nations 
are not left behind. It is critical that these nations have stable and 
efficient economies.
  It is vitally important, therefore, that we assist in integrating 
Africa into the global economy. Boosting economic development and self-
sufficiency for Africa are keys to achieving this end.
  It is for these reasons and others that I was pleased to vote for the 
African Trade Development Act of 2000.
  Generally we only hear about Africa when issues of hunger, welfare, 
and natural disaster emerge. It is true that hunger estimates in Africa 
range in upward of 215 million chronically undernourished persons. Yes, 
we need to be concerned and provide as much assistance as possible. 
However, there is an old cliche that says, ``Give a man a fish, and he 
will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat forever.'' At 
no other time is this cliche more are appropriate for African 
countries.
  As a Nation we have the resources, the capacity, and the capability 
to teach the tools needed to ensure that their economies grow in 
strength and prosperity. One of the tools we can teach involve 
agribusiness. Agriculture is a primary sector in the economy for many 
African nations. It is here that we can provide the tools necessary to 
technologically upgrade the agriculture methods and processes. The 
proposed legislation, Farmers for African Act of 2000, provide these 
tools.
  Farmers from the United States can help. Our farmers have the tools 
and skills to help. They have the ability to train African farmers to 
use and adopt state-of-the-art farming techniques and agribusiness 
skills.
  In African countries like Mozambique, farmers need our help. Ravaging 
flood waters have left the lands devastated and thousands homeless and 
hungry. Their farmers need help. Our farmers can help. We ought to 
help.
  Farmers in Zimbabwe need help. In that country, thousands of persons 
have received parcels of land to farm but do not have the agriculture 
skills or training to be successful. These farmers, too, need our help. 
Our farmers can help. We ought to help.
  In Ghana, one of the most stable and productive countries in Africa, 
farmers there, too, need our help. American farmers, through their 
efficiency in using the most modern technologically sound agriculture 
and agribusiness techniques, can help African farmers.
  This will not only help boost African crop yield and efficiency so 
that these Nations can produce enough goods to feed themselves, but it 
will also improve the competitiveness of African farmers in the rural 
market.
  In addition, through the establishment of partnerships between Africa 
and American farmers, we can also create new avenues for delivering 
goods and services to African countries in need.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting farmers. Join me in 
supporting farmers in Africa and America. The legislation I and others 
have introduced today is designed to establish a bilateral exchange 
program between Africa and America, one that benefits both continents.
  Madam Speaker, the legislation is budget neutral. Let me repeat that. 
The legislation is budget neutral, because it is funded through the 
existing product purchasing programs.
  The nations that will be helped by this program will purchase 
products from the United States, and part of the revenue from those 
purchases can be used to fund the activities contemplated by this bill. 
It will not cost American taxpayers anything.
  It will help 45 agriculture and African nations as well as highlight 
the importance of increasing trade and exchange opportunities with 
Africa.
  This is timely legislation. It is necessary legislation. Please join 
us in supporting this measure. With this legislation, America will 
assist in providing the tools that would enable African countries to be 
competitive in the global economy. The legislation provides the tools 
in helping African nations eat forever.

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