[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 97 (Monday, July 24, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H6726-H6730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1430
FAMINE PREVENTION AND FREEDOM FROM HUNGER IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4002) to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise
and improve provisions relating to famine prevention and freedom from
hunger, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 4002
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
[[Page H6727]]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Famine Prevention and
Freedom From Hunger Improvement Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Declarations of Policy.--(1) The first sentence of
section 296(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2220a(a)) is amended to read as follows: ``The
Congress declares that, in order to achieve the mutual goals
among nations of ensuring food security, human health,
agricultural growth, trade expansion, and the wise and
sustainable use of natural resources, the United States
should mobilize the capacities of the United States land-
grant universities, other eligible universities, and public
and private partners of universities in the United States and
other countries, consistent with sections 103 and 103A of
this Act, for (1) global research on problems affecting food,
agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, (2) improved human
capacity and institutional resource development for the
global application of agricultural and related environmental
sciences, (3) agricultural development and trade research and
extension services in the United States and other countries
to support the entry of rural industries into world markets,
and (4) providing for the application of agricultural
sciences to solving food, health, nutrition, rural income,
and environmental problems, especially such problems in low-
income, food deficit countries.''.
(2) The second sentence of section 296(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``in this country'' and
inserting ``with and through the private sector in this
country and to understanding processes of economic
development'';
(B) in paragraph (2), to read as follows:
``(2) that land-grant and other universities in the United
States have demonstrated over many years their ability to
cooperate with international agencies, educational and
research institutions in other countries, the private sector,
and nongovernmental organizations worldwide, in expanding
global agricultural production, processing, business and
trade, to the benefit of the United States and other
countries;'';
(C) in paragraph (3), to read as follows:
``(3) that, in a world of growing populations with rising
expectations, increased food production and improved
distribution, storage, and marketing in the developing
countries is necessary not only to prevent hunger and ensure
human health and child survival, but to build the basis for
economic growth and trade, and the social security in which
democracy and a market economy can thrive, and moreover, that
the greatest potential for increasing world food supplies and
incomes to purchase food are in the developing countries
where the gap between food need and food supply is the
greatest and current incomes are lowest;'';
(D) in paragraph (4), to read as follows:
``(4) that the engagement of United States universities in
agricultural development in other countries strengthens the
competitiveness of United States agriculture and other
industries by training future foreign partners and by
introducing global perspectives into United States
curriculum, research, public information services, and other
extension programs of the universities;'';
(E) by striking paragraphs (5) and (7), redesignating
paragraph (6) as paragraph (7), and inserting the following:
``(5) with expanding global markets and increasing imports
into many countries, including the United States, that food
safety and quality, as well as secure supply, have emerged as
mutual concerns of all countries;
``(6) that research, teaching, and extension activities,
and appropriate institutional and policy development
therefore are prime factors in improving agricultural
production, food distribution, processing, storage, and
marketing abroad (as well as in the United States);'';
(F) in paragraph (7) (as redesignated), by striking ``in
the United States'' and inserting ``and the broader economy
of the United States''; and
(G) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) that there is a need to preserve and protect the
world's natural resources for sustained productivity and
health and to take steps to mitigate adverse aspects of
climate change which confront agriculture and other natural
resource-based industries with new scientific, technological,
and management challenges; and
``(9) that universities and public and private partners of
universities need a dependable source of Federal funding not
requiring State matching funds, as well as Federal and State
matched funding, and other financing, in order to increase
the impact of their own investments and those of their State
governments and constituencies, in order to continue and
expand their effort to advance agricultural development in
cooperating countries, to translate development into economic
growth and trade for the United States and cooperating
countries, and to prepare future teachers, researchers,
extension specialists, entrepreneurs, managers, and
decisionmakers for the world economy.''.
(b) Additional Declarations of Policy.--Section 296(b) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(b)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(b) Accordingly, the Congress declares that, in order to
prevent famine and establish freedom from hunger, the
following components must be brought together in a
coordinated program to increase world food and fiber
production, agricultural trade, and responsible management of
natural resources, including--
``(1) continued efforts by the international agricultural
research centers and other international research entities to
provide a global network, including United States
universities, for international scientific collaboration on
crops, livestock, forests, fisheries, farming resources, and
food systems of worldwide importance;
``(2) contract research and the implementation of
collaborative research support programs and other research
collaboration led by United States universities, and
involving research systems in other countries focused on
crops, livestock, forests, fisheries, farming resources, and
food systems, with benefits to the United States and partner
countries;
``(3) transformation of the benefits of global agricultural
research and development into increased benefits for United
States agriculturally related industries through
establishment of development and trade information and
service centers, for rural as well as urban communities,
through extension, cooperatively with, and supportive of,
existing public and private trade and development related
organizations;
``(4) facilitation of participation by universities and
public and private partners of universities in programs of
multilateral banks and agencies which receive United States
funds by means which may include additional complementary
funds restricted to the use of United States universities and
public and private partners of universities;
``(5) expanding learning opportunities about global
agriculture for students, teachers, community leaders,
entrepreneurs, and the general public through international
internships and exchanges, graduate assistantships, faculty
positions, and other means of education and extension through
long-term recurring Federal funds matched by State funds; and
``(6) competitive grants through universities to United
States agriculturalists and public and private partners of
universities from other countries for research, institution
and policy development, extension, training, and other
programs for global agricultural development, trade, and
responsible management of natural resources.''.
(c) Sense of the Congress.--Section 296(c) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``each component'' and
inserting ``each of the program components described in
paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (b)'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by inserting ``and public and private partners of
universities'' after ``for the universities''; and
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by inserting ``and public and private partners of
universities'' after ``such universities'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``, and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking the comma at the end
and inserting a semicolon;
(D) by striking the matter following subparagraph (B); and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) multilateral banks and agencies receiving United
States funds;
``(D) development agencies of other countries; and
``(E) United States Government foreign assistance and
economic cooperation programs; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) generally engage the United States university
community more extensively in the agricultural research,
trade, and development initiatives undertaken outside the
United States, with the objectives of strengthening its
capacity to carry out research, teaching, and extension
activities for solving problems in food production,
processing, marketing, and consumption in agriculturally
developing nations, and for transforming progress in global
agricultural research and development into economic growth,
trade, and trade benefits for United States communities and
industries, and for the provident use of natural resources;
and
``(5) ensure that all federally funded support to
universities and public and private partners of universities
relating to the goals of this title is periodically reviewed
for its performance.''.
(d) Definition of Universities.--Section 296(d) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(d)) is
amended--
(1) by inserting after ``sea-grant colleges;'' the
following: ``Native American land-grant colleges as
authorized under the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note);''; and
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``extension'' and
inserting ``extension (including outreach)''.
(e) Definition of Administrator.--Section 296(e) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(e)) is
amended by inserting ``United States'' before ``Agency''.
(f) Definition of Public and Private Partners of
Universities.--Section 296 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f) As used in this title, the term `public and private
partners of universities' includes entities that have
cooperative or contractual agreements with universities,
which may include university beneficiary groups, other
[[Page H6728]]
education institutions, United States Government and State
agencies, private voluntary organizations, nongovernmental
organizations, firms operated for profit, nonprofit
organizations, multinational banks, and, as designated by the
Administrator, any organization, institution, or agency
incorporated in other countries.''.
(g) Definition of Agriculture.--Section 296 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(g) As used in this title, the term `agriculture'
includes the science and practice of activity related to
food, feed, and fiber production, processing, marketing,
distribution, utilization, and trade, and also includes
family and consumer sciences, nutrition, food science and
engineering, agricultural economics and other social
sciences, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, aquaculture,
floraculture, veterinary medicine, and other environmental
and natural resources sciences.''.
(h) Definition of Agriculturists.--Section 296 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(h) As used in this title, the term `agriculturists'
includes farmers, herders, and livestock producers,
individuals who fish and others employed in cultivating and
harvesting food resources from salt and fresh waters,
individuals who cultivate trees and shrubs and harvest
nontimber forest products, as well as the processors,
managers, teachers, extension specialists, researchers,
policymakers, and others who are engaged in the food, feed,
and fiber system and its relationships to natural
resources.''.
SEC. 3. GENERAL AUTHORITY.
(a) Authorization of Assistance.--Section 297(a) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220b(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), to read as follows:
``(1) to implement program components through United States
universities as authorized by paragraphs (2) through (5) of
this subsection;'';
(2) in paragraph (3), to read as follows:
``(3) to provide long-term program support for United
States university global agricultural and related
environmental collaborative research and learning
opportunities for students, teachers, extension specialists,
researchers, and the general public;''; and
(3) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by inserting ``United States'' before ``universities'';
(B) by inserting ``agricultural'' before ``research
centers''; and
(C) by striking ``and the institutions of agriculturally
developing nations'' and inserting ``multilateral banks, the
institutions of agriculturally developing nations, and United
States and foreign nongovernmental organizations supporting
extension and other productivity-enhancing programs''.
(b) Requirements.--Section 297(b) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220b(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``universities'' and inserting ``United States universities
with public and private partners of universities''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by inserting ``, environment,'' before ``and related'';
and
(ii) by striking ``farmers and farm families'' and
inserting ``agriculturalists'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, including resources
of the private sector,'' after ``Federal or State
resources''; and
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and the United States
Department of Agriculture'' and all that follows and
inserting ``, the Department of Agriculture, State
agricultural agencies, the Department of Commerce, the
Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection
Agency, the Office of the United States Trade
Representative, the Food and Drug Administration, other
appropriate Federal agencies, and appropriate
nongovernmental and business organizations.''.
(c) Further Requirements.--Section 297(c) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220b(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), to read as follows:
``(2) focus primarily on the needs of agricultural
producers, rural families, processors, traders, consumers,
and conservators of natural resources;''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), to read as follows:
``(4) be carried out within the developing countries and
transition countries comprising newly emerging democracies
and newly liberalized economies; and''.
(d) Special Programs.--Section 297 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220b) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) The Administrator shall establish and carry out
special programs under this title as part of ongoing programs
for child survival, democratization, development of free
enterprise, environmental and natural resource management,
and other related programs.''.
SEC. 4. BOARD FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Establishment.--Section 298(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220c(a)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ``authorized
by this title'' the following: ``and to provide United States
Government followup to the World Food Summit of November
1996''; and
(2) in the third sentence, by inserting at the end before
the period the following: ``on a case-by-case basis''.
(b) General Areas of Responsibility of the Board.--Section
298(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2220c(b)) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) The Board's general areas of responsibility shall
include--
``(1) participating in the planning, development, and
implementation of, initiating recommendations for, and
monitoring, the activities described in section 297 of this
title; and
``(2) providing advice and assistance to the Inter-Agency
Working Group on Food Security (IWG) on carrying out
commitments made in the United States Country Paper for the
November 1996 World Food Summit and on the Plan of Action
agreed to at the Summit.''.
(c) Duties of the Board.--Section 298(c) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220c(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``increase food
production'' and all that follows and inserting the
following: ``improve agricultural production, trade, and
natural resource management in developing countries, and with
private organizations seeking to increase agricultural
production and trade, natural resources management, and
household food security in developing and transition
countries;''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before ``sciences''
the following: ``, environmental, and related social'';
(2) in paragraph (4), after ``Administrator and
universities'' insert ``and their partners'';
(3) in paragraph (5), after ``universities'' insert ``and
public and private partners of universities'';
(4) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(5) in paragraph (7), by striking ``in the developing
nations.'' and inserting ``and natural resource issues in the
developing nations, assuring efficiency in use of Federal
resources, including in accordance with the Governmental
Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62; 107
Stat. 285), and the amendments made by that Act;''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) providing advice to the United States Government on
the development of a long-term action plan in support of the
commitments made in the United States Country Paper and at
the 1996 World Food Summit, including--
``(A) participating in the implementation of the action
plan through meetings, workshops, and proper involvement; and
``(B) serving as an outreach vehicle to all nongovernmental
sectors to achieve maximum involvement in action plan
development and implementation;
``(9) developing information exchanges and consulting
regularly with nongovernmental organizations, consumer
groups, producers, agribusinesses and associations,
agricultural cooperatives and commodity groups, State
departments of agriculture, State agricultural research and
extension agencies, and academic institutions;
``(10) investigating and resolving issues concerning
implementation of this title as requested by universities;
and
``(11) advising the Administrator on any and all issues as
requested.''.
(d) Subordinate Units.--Section 298(d) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220c(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Research'' and insert ``Policy'';
(B) by striking ``administration'' and inserting
``design''; and
(C) by striking ``section 297(a)(3) of this title'' and
inserting ``section 297''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``Joint Committee on Country Programs'' and
inserting ``Joint Operations Committee''; and
(B) by striking ``which shall assist'' and all that follows
and inserting ``which shall assist in and advise on the
mechanisms and processes for implementation of activities
described in section 297.''.
SEC. 5. ANNUAL REPORT.
Section 300 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2220e) is amended by striking ``April 1'' and
inserting ``September 1''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from
California (Mr. Sherman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
General Leave
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H.R. 4002.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Nebraska?
There was no objection.
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
[[Page H6729]]
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 4002,
the Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger Act of 2000, this Member
wants to commend the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady) for
taking the lead on this important issue and introducing this
legislation.
This measure updates the content of the agricultural development in
Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act and expands the role of
America's land grant universities in these efforts. It has certainly
been a pleasure to work with the distinguished gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Brady) on this effort.
Since the Foreign Assistance Act was enacted in 1961, the scope of
U.S. food aid and agriculture assistance has expanded to include
forestry, fisheries, family and consumer sciences, horticulture,
agribusiness, agricultural processing, marketing, distribution, trade,
food safety, nutrition, agricultural policy, environmental protection,
food science and engineering, veterinary medicine, agriculture
economics, other social sciences and other sciences and practices
related to food, fiber, and feed.
Indeed, H.R. 4002 updates current law and the U.S. foreign assistance
policy to reflect these changes. This legislation also ensures the
transformation of developments abroad into benefits to the United
States. University research and extension services, especially those
associated with America's land grant colleges and universities, such as
my alma mater, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, along with their
public and private partners, are supported to help transform
agricultural progress abroad and into benefits to American communities
and businesses through trade.
The pending legislation also expands the definition of eligible
universities to include those institutions engaged in agricultural
teaching, research and outreach, as well as extension. This Member
believes that this is an effective and responsible approach which
utilizes America's land grant university expertise to help famine
prevention and alleviate the suffering from hunger and malnutrition
abroad.
Madam Speaker, the Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger
Prevention Act of 2000 for the first time creates a direct link between
development abroad and the interests of rural communities here at home
in the United States. That is why this legislation is so important.
Again, this Member commends the hard work and leadership on this
issue by the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady). Clearly,
H.R. 4002 deserves our strong support and this Member urges its
adoption by his colleagues.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. I want to
thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis), the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady) for
their hard work on this bill.
American farmers and agricultural institutions have long been the
backbone of our foreign aid programs. The productivity of our farms
have helped feed starving people around the world, and it was American
research and technology developed in our land grant universities which
fueled the green revolution that have helped a famine-prone India
become self-sufficient in food.
Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act, the Famine Prevention and
Freedom From Hunger Act, was enacted in 1975 to increase world food
production and identify solutions to food and nutrition problems in
developing countries. However, the agricultural sectors have
experienced growth and innovation since that law was enacted. H.R. 4002
addresses that problem by updating Title XII. These changes will result
in better partnerships with the Agency for International Development,
improved service to and assistance to poor countries, and greater trade
and research benefits to the United States.
Specifically, this bill broadens the scope of agricultural assistance
to reflect a more modern industry and expands the ability of
participants to be eligible to participate in Title XII programs so
that the valuable resources of our universities will be better
utilized. This bill also encourages NGOs, that is to say
nongovernmental organizations, to work with universities.
The legislation will also help our agriculture here in the United
States. Title XII as currently written is designed to focus on
agricultural research. H.R. 4002 is designed to enhance extension and
other outreach activities of Title XII and help bring lessons learned
through those agricultural programs in developing countries to farms
here in the United States.
Finally, the bill helps American farmers and others of the
agricultural community to increase their markets. Developing countries
are the fastest growing markets for U.S. farm products and helping
strengthen agriculture in developing countries will ultimately benefit
U.S. farmers.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4002.
Madam Speaker, at this point I include in the Record the remarks of
the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).
Mrs. CLAYTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this Bill.
The Famine Prevention and Freedom from Hunger Act updates and expands
current American policies as they relate to the elimination of global
hunger.
This is vital legislation.
One very important aspect of this Bill is that it not only makes low-
income, food deficit, foreign countries beneficiaries of this program,
but it also makes rural and urban communities in the United States
beneficiaries.
In this era of global economies, nations are becoming more
interconnected and interdependent on one another.
It is critical, therefore, that the economies of 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 so achieving this end.
It is for these reasons and others that I was pleased to vote for the
Africa Trade and Development Act of 2000.
Generally, we only hear about Africa when issues of hunger, warfare,
or natural disaster emerge.
And, it is true, that hunger estimates in Africa range in upwards of
215 million chronically undernourished persons.
And, 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'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat forever!''
At no other time is this cliche more 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 involves agribusiness.
Agriculture is a primary sector in the economies of many African
nations.
It is here that we can provide the tools necessary to technologically
upgrade agricultural methods and processes.
I have introduced legislation, ``Farmers for Africa Act of 2000,''
which provides 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 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 our help.
In that country, thousands of presons have received parcels of land
to farm, but do not have the agricultural 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 more stable and productive countries in Africa,
farmers there too need our help!
American farmers, through their efficiency in using the most modern
and technologically sound agricultural and agribusiness techniques, can
help African farmers.
This will not only help boost African crop yields and efficiency to
that these nations can produce enough goods to feed themselves, but
will also improve the competitiveness of African farmers in the world
market.
In addition, through the establishment of partnerships between
African and American farmers, we can also create new avenues for
delivering goods and services to African countries in need.
The legislation I introduced is designed to establish a bilateral
exchange program between Africa and America--one that benefits both
continents.
[[Page H6730]]
The Bill before us, H.R. 4002 also redefines and updates the roles of
American universities who can share information about new farming
techniques with similar institutions in other countries.
I urge my colleagues to support this Bill.
Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady). As I earlier indicated, this
legislation is primarily the work of the distinguished gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Brady). He is an outstanding newer Member of the House
Committee on International Relations. I would say that I visited the
campus of his alma mater this Saturday. They are proud of him, and with
this legislation they are going to be even more indebted to him and
appreciate his outstanding work.
Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
4002, the Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger Improvement Act of
2000. Before I talk about the legislation, I want to thank the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for his leadership in this
effort. I want to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis) for
agreeing to be the lead Democrat on this bill and make this truly a
bipartisan effort. I also appreciate and commend the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson),
their staffs working so well together to ensure this bipartisan
legislation could be considered today.
Finally, most importantly, I want to thank one of my constituents,
Dr. Ed Price from Texas A&M University, who came to me with the
framework for this legislation after working on behalf of the Board of
International Food and Agriculture Development, and the National
Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. Without the
help of Dr. Price and Texas A&M University, it is unlikely we would be
considering this legislation today.
Briefly, Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act, which is known as
the Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger Act, was enacted in 1975
to increase world food production and to identify solutions to food and
nutrition problems in developing countries. According to USAID, the
goal to increase world food production has been met. That is the good
news. Unfortunately, USAID believes that we have not been as successful
at solving the other goal, food and nutrition problems, in developing
countries, poorer countries.
Specifically, under H.R. 4002, we address that problem. We broaden
the scope of agriculture to reflect a more modern industry, and we
expand the ability of participants to be eligible to participate in
Title XII programs so that the valuable resources of our universities
will be better utilized. We also encourage nongovernmental
organizations to work with universities; and these changes, we believe,
will result in better partnerships with the Agency for International
Development, improved service to the assisted countries, and greater
trade and research benefits to us here in America.
This legislation will also help America's agriculture. As Title XII
is currently written, we focus on ag research, but this modernization
is designed to make extension a more implicit part of Title XII. This
will help bring the lessons we learn overseas to our farms, which is
important because developing nation markets are the fastest growing
markets for U.S. farm products and anything we can do to help speed
along their development will help our farmers.
Improved agriculture is necessary to meet the objectives of U.S.
foreign assistance, such as improved human health, child survival,
democratization, and free enterprise. Furthermore, improving foods for
health, flavor and productivity require the assistance of international
programs such as those sponsored under Title XII.
Madam Speaker, as the ag industry and our Nation's international
development efforts have changed over the past 25 years, the time has
come to update this important section to again emphasize the vital role
U.S. universities and others can have in our country's international ag
development efforts. With over 800 million people worldwide still
suffering from inadequate food supplies and associated malnutrition,
this update is needed.
Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman
from Texas, Mr. Brady, for his leadership and hard work on this
important legislation. I, myself, am a strong co-sponsor of this
legislation.
H.R. 4002, the Famine Prevention and Freedom from Hunger Improvement
Act is long overdue. This bill would update Title XII of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, a title which is vitally important to our
universities.
Title XII was enacted in 1975 with the goal of increasing world food
production and identifying solutions to food and nutrition problems in
developing countries. Although the goal to increase world food
production has been met, we all know that food and nutrition problems
continue to plague much of the developing world.
Since Title XII was enacted, both our agriculture industry and
international development efforts have significantly changed. This bill
addresses those changes by updating the language under Title XII to
reflect a more modern industry and expands the ability of participants
to be eligible to participate in Title XII programs, so that the
valuable resources of our universities will be better utilized.
Specifically, by expanding the number of eligible participants in
Title XII programs, our universities will be able to increase their
number of partnerships and play a more significant role in our
international agriculture efforts.
Madam Speaker, I would also like to mention that improved
agricultural production is essential if the U.S. is to continue
fostering democratization around the world, which is one of many
important objectives of U.S. foreign assistance. I believe H.R. 4002
addresses this issue.
H.R. 4002 is a win-win for everyone. Internationally, these changes
will result in better partnerships with the Agency for International
Development (AID), which will improve service to developing countries.
Domestically, our country will reap greater trade and research
benefits. Moreover, lessons learned through agricultural programs in
developing countries will benefit our own agriculture industry.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to seeing this bill become law. I urge
my colleagues to support H.R. 4002.
Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4002, a bill
introduced by Mr. Brady, the gentleman from Texas, and co-sponsored by
Mr. Bereuter and Mr. Davis, all members of the Committee on
International Relations. H.R. 4002 seeks to amend the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, to authorize the President to establish
programs in title XII of the act to encourage the formation of
partnerships between land grant universities and non-governmental to
promote sustainable agricultural development projects in the world's
poorest and neediest countries.
Madam Speaker, although significant strides have been made to
increase world food production in recent years, it is clear that more
needs to be done to modernize agricultural practices in the developing
world and to ensure that sound environmental and conservation practices
are applied in rural areas of the world's poorest countries.
As is the case in other development fields, it is sound policy to
encourage the formation of partnerships among the public, private, and
academic sectors. In the agricultural arena this makes particularly
good sense as American technology produces the world's greatest grain
yields and can, with the provision of state-of-the-art technical
assistance, be applied in developing countries. Moreover, as an added
bonus, the lessons learned from these experiences and projects can be
brought back home and applied to strengthen our own country's
agricultural production.
I commend the sponsors of H.R. 4002 for their efforts to encourage
the formation of partnerships between the land-grant university
community and non-governmental organizations engaged in agricultural
extension work in developing countries and urge my colleagues to
support this bill.
Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I urge support of the bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 4002, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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