[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6231-S6234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HARKIN (for himself, Mr. Leahy Mr. Durbin, Mr. DeWine, Mr. 
        Dorgan, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
        Johnson, Mr. Conrad, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Dayton):
  S. 1036. A bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Development and 
Assistance Act of 1954 to establish an international food for education 
and child nutrition program; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, together with a bipartisan group of 
colleagues, I am pleased to be introducing this legislation to address 
two of the most glaring problems facing children across the globe: 
malnutrition and the lack of educational opportunity. I very much 
appreciate the opportunity to work with Senator Leahy and Senator 
Lugar, who have so strongly supported nutrition assistance for many 
years, in developing this legislation.
  An estimated 300 million poor children around the world either do not 
receive food at school or do not go to school at all. About 130 million 
of the world's children, 60 percent of them girls, are presently not 
attending school. With the abundance of food here in America and in 
other nations, this reality is absolutely unconscionable.
  Our bill, the George McGovern-Robert Dole International Food for 
Education and Child Nutrition Act of 2001, will provide U.S. 
agricultural commodities and other assistance to boost child nutrition 
in connection with educational programs in developing countries.
  I salute former Senators George McGovern and Bob Dole for their work 
in promoting the Global Food for Education Initiative, and President 
Clinton for recognizing its merits early on and beginning a pilot 
project for this year.
  The bill permanently adds this new program to existing U.S. foreign 
food assistance programs, such as P.L. 480 and Food for Progress.
  Our bill will apply the producing power of American farmers and 
agriculture-related industries to help families, villages and even 
nations escape the treadmill of poverty by supporting both improved 
nutrition and education for children. It also offers nutritious food 
and learning as an alternative to sending children down the dead-end 
path of exploitive work in sweatshops, mines or factories.
  The International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program 
established in this legislation will be carried out through private 
nonprofit groups, cooperatives, and intergovernmental organizations. 
Under the bill, USDA will purchase U.S. commodities and cover the costs 
of making them available in developing countries to provide nutrition 
for children in connection with educational programs. Funding would 
begin at $300 million in fiscal 2002 and increase to $750 million in 
fiscal 2006.
  The problems of global malnutrition and limited education are so 
large that participation by other countries is crucially important. 
Accordingly, this bill specifically encourages other donor countries 
and the private sector to support the program. If concerned nations 
will come together and make a firm commitment, we can end child hunger, 
child poverty and exploitive child labor and lift families and nations 
from poverty.
  This bill continues our Nation's proud tradition of helping to build 
a better future for children in developing countries and I am proud we 
are introducing it today. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
important legislation and ask, unanimous consent that the text of the 
bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1036

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``George McGovern-Robert Dole 
     International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Act of 
     2001''.

     SEC. 2. INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION.

       Title IV of the Agricultural Trade Development and 
     Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1731 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 417. INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD 
                   NUTRITION.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible commodity.--The term `eligible commodity' 
     means--
       ``(A) an agricultural commodity; and
       ``(B) a vitamin or mineral produced--
       ``(i) in the United States; or
       ``(ii) in limited situations determined by the Secretary, 
     outside the United States.
       ``(2) Eligible organization.--The term `eligible 
     organization' means a private voluntary organization, 
     cooperative, or intergovernmental organization, as determined 
     by the Secretary.
       ``(3) Program.--The term `Program' means the International 
     Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program established 
     under subsection (b)(1).
       ``(4) Recipient Country.--The term `recipient country' 
     means 1 or more developing

[[Page S6232]]

     countries covered by a plan approved under subsection 
     (d)(1)(A)(ii).
       ``(b) Program Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--In cooperation with other countries, the 
     Secretary shall establish, and the Department of Agriculture 
     shall act as the lead Federal agency for, the International 
     Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, through which 
     the Secretary shall provide to eligible organizations 
     eligible commodities and technical and nutritional assistance 
     for pre-school and school-age children in connection with 
     education programs to improve food security and enhance 
     educational opportunities for pre-school age and primary-
     school age children in recipient countries.
       ``(2) Administration.--In carrying out the Program, the 
     Secretary may use the personnel and other resources of the 
     Food and Nutrition Service and other agencies of the 
     Department of Agriculture.
       ``(c) Purchase and Donation of Eligible Commodities and 
     Provision of Assistance.--
       ``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary shall 
     enter into agreements with eligible organizations--
       ``(A) to purchase, acquire, and donate eligible commodities 
     to eligible organizations; and
       ``(B) to provide technical and nutritional assistance.
       ``(2) Other donor countries.--Consistent with the Program, 
     the Secretary shall encourage other donor countries, directly 
     or through eligible organizations--
       ``(A) to donate goods and funds to recipient countries; and
       ``(B) to provide technical and nutritional assistance to 
     recipient countries.
       ``(3) Private sector.--The President and the Secretary are 
     urged to encourage the support and active involvement of the 
     private sector, foundations, and other individuals and 
     organizations in programs and activities assisted under this 
     section.
       ``(d) Plans and Agreements.--
       ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive eligible 
     commodities and assistance under this section, an eligible 
     organization shall--
       ``(A)(i) submit to the Secretary a plan that describes the 
     manner in which--
       ``(I) the eligible commodities and assistance will be used 
     in 1 or more recipient countries to meet the requirements of 
     this section; and
       ``(II) the role of the government in the recipient 
     countries in carrying out the plan; and
       ``(ii) obtain the approval of the Secretary for the plan; 
     and
       ``(B) enter into an agreement with the Secretary 
     establishing the terms and conditions for use of the eligible 
     commodities and assistance.
       ``(2) Multiyear agreements.--
       ``(A) In general.--An agreement under paragraph (1)(B) may 
     provide for eligible commodities and assistance on a 
     multiyear basis.
       ``(B) Local capacity.--The Secretary shall facilitate, to 
     the extent the Secretary determines is appropriate, the 
     development of agreements under paragraph (1)(B) that, on a 
     multiyear basis, strengthen local capacity for implementing 
     and managing assistance programs.
       ``(3) Streamlined procedures.--The Secretary shall develop 
     streamlined procedures for the development, review, and 
     approval of plans submitted under paragraph (1)(A) by 
     eligible organizations that demonstrate organizational 
     capacity and the ability to develop, implement, monitor, and 
     report on, and provide accountability for, activities 
     conducted under this section.
       ``(4) Graduation.--An agreement under paragraph (1)(B) 
     shall include provisions--
       ``(A)(i) to sustain the benefits to the education, 
     enrollment, and attendance of children in schools in the 
     targeted communities when the provision of commodities and 
     assistance to a recipient country under the Program 
     terminates; and
       ``(ii) to estimate the period of time required for the 
     recipient country or eligible organization to provide 
     assistance described in subsection (b)(1) without additional 
     assistance provided under this section; or
       ``(B) to otherwise provide other long-term benefits to the 
     targeted populations.
       ``(e) Effective Use of Eligible Commodities.--The Secretary 
     shall ensure that each eligible organization--
       ``(1) uses eligible commodities made available under this 
     section effectively, in the areas of greatest need, and in a 
     manner that promotes the purposes of this section;
       ``(2) in using assistance provided under this section, 
     assesses and takes into account the nutritional and 
     educational needs of participating pre-school age and 
     primary-school age children;
       ``(3) to the maximum extent practicable, uses the lowest 
     cost means of delivering eligible commodities and providing 
     other assistance authorized under the Program;
       ``(4) works with recipient countries and indigenous 
     institutions or groups in recipient countries to design and 
     carry out mutually acceptable food and education assistance 
     programs for participating pre-school age and primary-school 
     age children;
       ``(5) monitors and reports on the distribution or sale of 
     eligible commodities provided under this section using 
     methods that will facilitate accurate and timely reporting;
       ``(6) periodically evaluates the effectiveness of the 
     Program, including evaluation of whether the food security 
     and education purposes can be sustained in a recipient 
     country if the recipient country is gradually terminated from 
     the assistance in accordance with subsection (d)(4); and
       ``(7) considers means of improving the operation of the 
     Program by the eligible organization and ensuring and 
     improving the quality of the eligible commodities provided 
     under this section, including improvement of the nutrient or 
     micronutrient content of the eligible commodities.
       ``(f) Interagency Coordination on Policy Goals.--The 
     Secretary shall consult and collaborate with other Federal 
     agencies having appropriate expertise in order to provide 
     assistance under this section to promote equal access to 
     education to improve the quality of education, combat 
     exploitative child labor, and advance broad-based sustainable 
     economic development in recipient countries.
       ``(g) Sales and Barter.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1)(A), 
     with the approval of the Secretary, an eligible organization 
     may--
       ``(A) acquire funds or goods by selling or bartering 
     eligible commodities provided under this section within the 
     recipient country or countries near the recipient country; 
     and
       ``(B) use the funds or goods to improve food security and 
     enhance educational opportunities for pre-school age and 
     primary-school age children within the recipient country, 
     including implementation and administrative costs incurred in 
     carrying out this subsection.
       ``(2) Payment of administrative costs.--An eligible 
     organization that receives payment for administrative costs 
     under paragraph (1) shall not be eligible to receive payment 
     for the same administrative costs under subsection (h)(3).
       ``(h) Eligible Costs.--Subject to subsections (d)(1) and 
     (m), the Secretary shall pay all or part of--
       ``(1) the costs and charges described in paragraphs (1) 
     through (5) and (7) of section 406(b) with respect to an 
     eligible commodity;
       ``(2) the internal transportation, storage, and handling 
     costs incurred in moving the eligible commodity, if the 
     Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) payment of the costs is appropriate; and
       ``(B) the recipient country is a low income, net food-
     importing country that--
       ``(i) meets the poverty criteria established by the 
     International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for 
     Civil Works Preference; or
       ``(ii) has a national government that is committed to or is 
     working toward, through a national action plan, the World 
     Declaration on Education for All convened in 1990 in Jomtien, 
     Thailand, and the follow-up Dakar Framework for Action of the 
     World Education Forum in 2000; and
       ``(3) the projected costs of an eligible organization for 
     administration, sales, monitoring, and technical assistance 
     under a plan approved by the Secretary under subsection 
     (d)(1)(A) (including an itemized budget), taking into 
     consideration, as determined by the Secretary--
       ``(A) the projected amount of such costs itemized by 
     category; and
       ``(B) the projected amount of assistance received from 
     other donors.
       ``(i) Displacement.--Subsections (a)(2), (b), and (h) of 
     section 403 shall apply to this section.
       ``(j) Audits and Training.--The Secretary shall take such 
     actions as are necessary to support, monitor, audit, and 
     provide necessary training in proper management under the 
     Program.
       ``(k) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
     Senate an annual report that describes--
       ``(1) the results of the implementation of the Program 
     during the applicable year, including the impact on the 
     enrollment, attendance, and performance of children in 
     primary schools targeted under the Program; and
       ``(2) the level of commitments by, and the potential for 
     obtaining additional goods and assistance from, other 
     countries for the purposes of this section during subsequent 
     years.
       ``(l) Independence of Authorities.--Each authority granted 
     under this section shall be in addition to, and not in lieu 
     of, any authority granted to the Secretary or the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation under any other provision of law.
       ``(m) Funding.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), for 
     each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006, the Secretary shall 
     use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation to carry out this section.
       ``(2) Fiscal year limitations.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the amount 
     of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation uses to carry 
     out this section shall not exceed--
       ``(i) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; or
       ``(ii) $400,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 
     2006.
       ``(B) Participation by donor countries.--If the Secretary 
     determines for any of fiscal years 2004 through 2006 that 
     there is adequate participation in the Program by donor 
     countries, in lieu of the maximum amount authorized for that 
     fiscal year under subparagraph (A)(ii), the amount of funds 
     of the

[[Page S6233]]

     Commodity Credit Corporation uses to carry out this section 
     shall not exceed--
       ``(i) $525,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
       ``(ii) $625,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; or
       ``(iii) $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       ``(3) Use limitations.--Of the funds provided under 
     paragraph (2), the Secretary may use to carry out subsection 
     (h)(3), not more than--
       ``(A) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
       ``(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
       ``(C) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
       ``(D) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; or
       ``(E) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.''.

     SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Section 401(a) of the Agricultural Trade Development 
     and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1731(a)) is amended by 
     inserting ``(other than section 417)'' after ``this Act'' 
     each place it appears.
       (b) Section 404(b)(4) of the Agricultural Trade Development 
     and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1734(b)(4)) is amended 
     by inserting ``with respect to agreements entered into under 
     this Act (other than section 417),'' after ``(4)''.
       (c) Section 406(d) of the Agricultural Trade Development 
     and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1736(d)) is amended by 
     inserting ``(other than section 417)'' after ``this Act''.
       (d) Section 408 of the Agricultural Trade Development and 
     Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1736b) is amended by 
     inserting ``(other than section 417)'' after ``this Act''.
       (e) Section 412(b)(1) of the Agricultural Trade Development 
     and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1736f(b)(1)) is amended 
     by inserting ``(other than section 417)'' after ``this Act'' 
     each place it appears.

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today we introduce the George McGovern-
Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Act of 
2001.
  This is a momentous day for needy children around the world. And it 
is America's opportunity to embark on a bold venture that can have 
unexpected benefits, and advance world peace and understanding.
  The name of our legislation honors two great leaders, and two great 
friends, Ambassador George McGovern and Senator Bob Dole. It was a 
privilege for me to serve on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and 
Forestry Committee with both of them for many years. I have known both 
of them for years and they know that each hungry child is an empty 
promise.
  Nutrition is the key not only to health but to education and economic 
progress in many developing societies. This initiative taps America's 
agricultural bounty to become a catalyst for real and lasting change in 
many struggling nations. This bill can literally change the world.
  I am thrilled that Chairman Tom Harkin will join with ranking member 
Dick Lugar and me on this Senate bill. It would be hard to find, in the 
last 13 years, a nutrition or agriculture bill sponsored by Senator 
Lugar, Senator Harkin and me--that is not now the law of the land.
  We are pleased to have Senator DeWine with us in this effort. I work 
with him on the Judiciary Committee and I know he is a strong fighter 
for children. Senators Kohl, Dorgan, Dashle, Kennedy, Durbin, Conrad, 
Johnson, Landrieu, and Dayton are also on the bill. Each, in their own 
right, are leaders in protecting children.
  This bill will make private voluntary organizations and the World 
Food Program full partners with USDA in implementing this bold 
education and child nutrition vision. I want to make clear that the 
bill unambiguously provides that PVOs are full partners with USDA, just 
as the WFP will be.
  Ambassador George McGovern has said about this effort that, ``Dollar 
for dollar it is the best investment we can make in creating a 
healthier, better educated and more effective global citizenry.'' He 
spoke of how the program would be of ``enormous benefit'' to the 
education of girls, since in Third World countries parents will also 
send girls to school if meals are offered.
  I want to point out that one Catholic Relief Services project 
offering meals and education in Ghana has seen the ``number of girls 
enrolled in school jump by 88 percent, and their attendance rose by 50 
percent.'' In Pakistan, the World Food Program offered cooking oil to 
families if they sent their children, especially girls, to school. The 
parents' response was overwhelming and the ``enrollment of girls has 
doubled.'' In similar projects in Niger ``girls' attendance rose by 75 
percent, and by 100 percent in Morocco.''
  This is clearly a great idea for children who otherwise may have no 
hope, and no future.
  Most beginnings rarely seem momentous at the time, and then, looking 
back, every detail is studied by students and scholars and meaning is 
attached to every step. I want to chronicle some aspects of this 
beginning when memories are fresh.
  I will again mention my good friend Ambassador George McGovern. 
First, I appreciate that President George W. Bush decided to keep 
George McGovern on as Ambassador to the U.N. food agencies in Rome, 
Italy. This demonstrated a keen bipartisan spirit, and the best choice 
for the job.
  Last year, George McGovern authored a paper setting forth a bold 
vision for a multinational effort to provide meals to children in 
school settings. He is an expert having worked on school lunch issues 
during his eighteen years on the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry 
Committee, as a Director of the Food for Peace program, and now as U.S. 
Ambassador to the U.N. food agencies.
  He further explained this bold vision at Senate Agriculture Committee 
hearing on July 27, 2000. What a pleasure it was for me to listen to 
both Ambassador McGovern and Former Majority Leader Bob Dole at this 
hearing presided over by my friend and colleague, then Chairman Dick 
Lugar. The hearing featured two giants in the history of nutrition 
programs adding another chapter to their legacies, under the watchful 
eye of a very decent, intelligent, and understanding Senator, Senator 
Lugar, who cares about the state of the world.
  At the hearing, George McGovern said that ``if we could achieve the 
goal of reaching 300 million hungry children with one good meal every 
day, that would transform life on this planet.'' He pointed out another 
significant benefit in that `'it would raise the income of American 
farmers and those in other countries that have farm surpluses.''
  Senator Dole, another giant in the history of nutrition programs, 
supported this vision and commended the Clinton administration for 
launching a $300 million school feeding pilot program to feed hungry 
children throughout the world. He said, ``I can think of no better 
solution to the problem [of agricultural surpluses] than to support a 
program that will help our farmers while putting food in the stomachs 
of desperately hungry and malnourished children.''
  This brings me to another leading player in this bipartisan effort, 
former President William Clinton. He elevated these issues by raising 
the idea at the G8 meeting in Okinawa, Japan, in July, 2000. He urged 
the eight industrialized democracies at the start of the new millennium 
to contribute some of their wealth, natural resources and goodness to 
help the next generation of the world. The President announced this 
$300 million Global Food for Education Initiative to feed hungry 
children and pledged to work with other nations to seek support and 
contributions from them. This gave the McGovern-Dole proposal new force 
and captured the interest and attention of other nations. The 
President's staff, including Tom Friendman and chief of staff John 
Podesta, worked diligently to get this program off the ground and 
dedicated career staff at USDA, including Richard Fritz and Mary 
Chambliss, worked long hours to launch the President's initiative.
  At that same hearing, then Secretary Dan Glickman noted that 
worldwide 120 million children are not enrolled in school and that tens 
of millions drop out before achieving basic literacy. He explained how 
a global school meals program would reduce the incidence of child labor 
and have the potential to raise academic performance and increase 
literacy rates. He noted what a draw school meals can be, when a school 
feeding program in the Dominican Republic was temporarily suspended, 25 
percent of the children dropped out of school.
  Another tremendous force in the history of this initiative is 
Catherine Bertini, the Executive Director of the World Food Program. I 
have known Cathy since I first met her when she was being confirmed as 
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Food and Consumer Service over a 
decade ago, under President George Bush.
  She was an outstanding and creative leader in that job and I was 
happy to support her for the World Food Program position. I treasure 
memories of a detailed briefing she gave my wife, Marcelle, and me at 
her apartment in

[[Page S6234]]

Rome, Italy. Her concern for hungry children, her command of the facts 
and her extreme competence and management abilities have made her a 
truly outstanding director.
  In an interesting coincidence, my chief advisor and legal counsel on 
nutrition policies since 1987, Ed Barron, has been a friend of Cathy's 
since high school. He went to school in Homer, NY, and Cathy attended 
neighboring Cortland High School.
  Cathy explained that in one original idea the WFP offered ``take 
home'' food to a family for every month that a girl attended school 
regularly. Cathy noted that `'the results have been dramatic'' as 
school attendance greatly increased. Cathy proposed some great 
principles that, I agree, should be followed. Such an international 
feeding program should be sustainable, it should be mostly school-
based, and it should be targeted to the most needy. Of course, we need 
to employ a loose definition of school, since a teacher can teach and 
school children can learn in practically any setting.
  In addition, she noted that the United States should use its special 
knowledge and experience to help other countries develop these 
programs. USDA and US AID experts should make periodic visits to work 
with national personnel and PVOs and others to build capacity and 
sustainable projects.
  Joseph Scalise who represents the World Food Program here in 
Washington, D.C. has done a wonderful job keeping me and my staff 
informed of developments regarding WFP efforts and views.
  Another major force in international feeding efforts is Ellen 
Levinson. As Executive Director of the Coalition for Food Aid, she has 
done a very effective job representing many private voluntary 
organizations who provide food and other assistance throughout the 
world. She is a strong advocate for an integrated approach for physical 
and cognitive child development, with a focus on much more than just a 
meal or food ration. In addition to food assistance, Ellen wants the 
initiative to provide quality education and development.
  Another leader in the area has been my good friend Marshall Matz. He 
has been a vigorous advocate and friendly adviser in this effort.
  I also want to mention Elizabeth Darrow of my staff who has played a 
major role in helping organize this effort and making sure we kept it 
on track.
  This bill has been greatly advanced by staff of Senators Harkin and 
Luger. Chief of Staff Mark Halverson and chief economist Stephanie 
Mercier attended many meetings and helped craft a fine bill. The 
Republican Chief of Staff for the Committee, Keith Luse, and his staff 
including Chris Salisbury, Dave Johnson and Michael Knipe, provided 
extremely useful guidance and advice about how best to structure this 
program and help ensure that the benefits get delivered to needy 
children. This was truly a team effort.
  As always, the outstanding drafting skills of Gary Endicott of Senate 
Legislative Counsel are much appreciated. I have many times recognized 
his tremendous service to the Senate.
  Congressman Jim McGovern and Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, along with 
Congressman Tony Hall and others, recognized the bold potential of this 
effort right from the start. Many staff working for the other body 
provided a great deal of assistance, but Cindy Buhl needs to be 
especially recognized for her long hours of work, and dedication to the 
project. Cindy, and her boss Jim McGovern, took command of this effort 
and deserve a lot of credit.
  This bipartisan, bicameral effort, now looks to the new 
Administration for assistance. I, and all my colleagues, are eager to 
work with the Bush White House and Secretary Veneman to make this 
international education and child nutrition initiative a success. It 
may be imperative to have the President extend the current pilot 
program for one more year to insure continuity of service, and to 
provide an opportunity to work out all the kinks in a new project. The 
President could provide additional funding out of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation to help us bridge the gap.
  I also want to thank the GAO team that is working on analyzing the 
current effort. The GAO is helping to provide valuable advice on how to 
improve this effort.
  I want to briefly mention some thoughts from Ambassador McGovern's 
book, ``The Third Freedom.'' He begins with: ``Hunger is a political 
condition. The earth has enough knowledge and resources to eradicate 
this ancient scourge.''
  I completely agree--and because addressing hunger is a moral 
imperative, the U.S. should lead the way. I am very hopeful that many 
nations who we have helped in the past--including economic gains in 
Europe who benefited from our Marshall Plan after WWII--will follow our 
lead and offer food, technical assistance and financial aid.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislative and 
moral effort.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I am proud to join so many of my 
colleagues in sponsoring the global school lunch legislation proposed 
today by Senators Leahy and DeWine. This bill is the product of much 
hard work by our former colleagues Dole and McGovern, and also by 
officials at all levels of government, the World Food Program, and the 
many non-governmental agencies that have pioneered international school 
feeding programs.
  Much has already been accomplished. Under a trial program, the 
Department of Agriculture is preparing to ship 630,000 tons of wheat, 
soybeans, rice, dry milk, corn, and other food to nine million children 
in 38 nations throughout Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern 
Europe. This legislation will be an important incentive to strengthen 
the worldwide effort.
  Bob Dole and George McGovern worked well together in the Senate to 
promote child nutrition in America. The results of their landmark 
National School Lunch program have been impressive--improved nutrition 
and health, and increased academic performance as well. Their 
successful school lunch idea can benefit children in need throughout 
the world.
  Hunger remains a painful reality every day for over 300 million 
children across the globe, and we can do more--much more to combat it. 
We know the cure for hunger, and I hope that Congress will move quickly 
to enact this needed legislation.

                          ____________________