[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 101 (Thursday, July 19, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H4333-H4350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 199 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 2506.
{time} 1944
In the Committee of the Whole
Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill
(H.R. 2506) making appropriations for foreign operations, export
financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2002, and for other purposes, with Mr. Thornberry in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered as having
been read the first time.
Under the rule, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and the
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe).
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Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present to the Members H.R. 2506, the
fiscal year 2002 appropriations bill for Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs. The privilege of managing this bill,
one that provides the wherewithal for an effective and humane foreign
policy, means a great deal to me personally. I especially appreciate
the trust that the Speaker and the gentleman from Florida (Chairman
Young) have placed in me, and I thank my subcommittee colleagues in
particular for their advice and support.
When I became chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, I
set out three priorities for myself: first, reversing the spread of
infectious diseases such as HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; second,
encouraging economic growth through open trade and transparent laws;
and, third, improving the accountability of the agencies funded through
this bill. Making progress on the first two priorities, to at least
some degree, is contingent on effective management of the Agency for
International Development.
Our recommended bill is the product of bipartisan compromise. It
funds the President's priorities, though there are a few critical
differences. Above all, the bill promotes interests abroad, while
improving the prospects for a better life for millions of poor people
from Latin America to Asia.
H.R. 2506 appropriates $15.2 billion in new discretionary budget
authority, approximately $1 million less than the President's request,
but $304 million more than last year. A major reason for the increase
over last year is that $676 million is in the bill in new funding for
the Andean Counterdrug Initiative. Members will remember that the
initial Plan Colombia adopted by Congress last year was funded by a
supplemental appropriation bill, which put the spending outside the
boundaries of the subcommittee's fiscal year 2001 allocation. Now,
unlike the original Plan Colombia, approximately half of the Andean
Initiative funds long-term economic development and good governance
projects.
The committee recommendation fully funds the military and economic
aid request for Israel, for Egypt, and for Jordan. Overall, $5.14
billion is provided for the Middle East, and I will return to that
region momentarily.
For export and investment assistance programs, the committee is
recommending $604 million, which is $137 million below the 2001 level,
but $118 million above the administration request. The committee
accepts a portion of the proposed cut from the current appropriations
for the Export-Import Bank, but provides sufficient funds to maintain
current program levels.
For international HIV-AIDS programs, the committee is recommending a
total of $474 million. That compares with $315 million in fiscal year
2001. The committee fully funds the President's request of $100 million
for an international health trust fund, 80 percent of which would be
allocated for AIDS. The supplemental appropriation bill which we will
consider tomorrow also includes an additional $100 million from current
year funds for the international trust fund.
In addition, no less than $414 million is available for bilateral HIV
and AIDS programs. This amount exceeds the President's request by $45
million and the level authorized in law by $114 million. Some of the
increase is for new programs in vulnerable countries such as Burma,
where little donor assistance is available to restrict the spread of
AIDS.
I am aware that Members will offer amendments to increase funding
even further for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Both of these are worthy
causes. But I would advise them that the committee has been increasing
HIV funding above the request for many years under the gentle prodding
from the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the former ranking
member of the subcommittee.
Yet our Members are aware that we also need to balance the current
enthusiasms with longer-term economic
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growth and governance programs, because, Mr. Chairman, I would point
out that economic growth is the only prescription that enables
countries to revive health systems and to generate employment, which
can improve the standards of living for their people.
In reaching our bipartisan recommendation, the committee also
recognized the continuing importance of basic education, reproductive
health, security assistance, export financing. We ask that the Members
of the House keep these multiple objectives in mind today and in the
next few days as we proceed with this bill.
Overall, for assistance programs managed solely by the Agency for
International Development, the committee recommends a total of $3.63
billion, of which $1.93 billion is for child survival and health
programs. This is $126 million over the 2001 level and $177 million
over the administration request.
These totals include $120 million for a grant to UNICEF. It does not
include funding for the proposed Global Development Alliance, but we
look forward to considering the proposal further as its shape becomes
more definitive.
For international financial institutions, the recommendation is $1.17
billion. That is $23 million over the 2001 level, but $40 million below
the request.
The bill also completes funding for the Heavily Indebted Poor Country
Initiative with a final $224 million, and provides an additional $25
million from prior year balances for Tropical Forest Debt Relief.
On Tuesday, President Bush called on the World Bank to dramatically
increase the share of its funding for health and education in the
poorest countries on this globe, but to do so using their grant
authority rather than loans. Over the last few years, this committee
has urged different administrations to adopt this policy, so I am
pleased that it has been embraced by President Bush.
I know many Members have a special interest in the Middle East, so I
will describe the committee recommendation for that region in a bit
more detail.
The bill before the House continues the policy that was begun 3 years
ago that reduces Israeli and Egyptian economic assistance over a 10-
year period. Israel's economic support is reduced by $120 million, but
military assistance is increased by $60 million. Israel's funding
through the Economic Support Fund is $720 million, which will be made
available within 30 days of enactment or by October 31, 2001, whichever
date is later. Military assistance totals $2.04 billion, and that is
also made available on an expedited basis.
We have also included a couple of new initiatives this year dealing
with the Middle East. Language in the bill specifies that the PLO and
the Palestinian Authority must abide by the cease-fire recently
brokered by CIA Director George Tenet. If they are not in substantial
compliance, the Secretary of State must impose at least one of three
sanctions: closure of the Palestinian information office in Washington;
second, the designation of the PLO or one or more of its constituent
groups as a terrorist organization; or, third, cutting off all but
humanitarian aid to the West bank and Gaza.
The President is allowed to waive these restrictions if he determines
it is in the national security interests of the United States. Many of
my colleagues would like to go further in sanctioning the Palestinians,
and others felt that any language might upset the status of
negotiations in the Middle East. But I believe this provision strikes a
middle ground and sends the right message to the Palestinians and their
leaders, and that is comply with your commitments regarding
renunciation of terror and violence, and then no sanctions will be
imposed. We are not going back to the beginning of the current
violence, but we are saying you must adhere to your commitments that
are now made under the Tenet cease-fire as we go forward.
We are also sending a message in our bill to the International
Committee on the Red Cross. This otherwise noble institution has failed
to admit the Magen David Adom Society of Israel to the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It is pretty clear that the
society's use of the Star of David has triggered the usual opposition
from the usual suspects.
The American Red Cross has courageously fought to get the society
admitted to the Red Cross movement. They have withheld their dues to
the Geneva headquarters of the International Red Cross for the past 2
years. I am proposing that the United States Government do the same
until the society is able to fully participate in the activities of the
International Red Cross. If the IRC can include national societies from
terrorist states like Iraq and North Korea in its movement, then surely
Israel is entitled to membership.
Within the Economic Support Fund, the President's request would
increase funding for Latin America by $50 million, from $120 million to
$170 million. There is additional support in the Child Survival and
Health Fund for efforts to restrict the spread of AIDS in the Caribbean
region. The bill also includes an additional $100 million to assist El
Salvador in its recovery from two devastating earthquakes earlier this
year.
I am pleased that the President's request follows through on his
pledge to focus additional resources in the Western Hemisphere. This is
one reason I strongly oppose amendments that would cut funding from the
Economic Support Fund. We cannot afford to cut funding for Latin
America or other sensitive regions such as Lebanon.
For the International Fund for Ireland, we are recommending $25
million, the same as last year, but $5 million above the President's
request. This program is designed to support the peace process in
Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland.
Our funding for economic assistance to Central and Eastern Europe
totals $600 million, and that corresponds to the amount appropriated
last year, excluding emergency funding. Funding for Bosnia would
decline from $80 million to $65 million. Funding for Kosovo is reduced
from $150 million to $120 million.
Our bill anticipates a continuation of the $5 million allocation for
the Baltic states to continue our very modest but important assistance
programs in those countries. We also strongly support, I might add,
funding through the Foreign Military Financing Program for those same
Baltic states. The President requested $21 million for these three
countries, and the committee has endorsed this request. Again, I
strongly oppose amendments that would cut funding for our new
democratic friends in the Baltic states, Poland and Hungary.
For the states in the former Soviet Union, funding would decline only
slightly, from $810 million to $767 million. The committee continues
its support to find a peaceful settlement in the Southern Caucasus
region, by providing $82.5 million for both Armenia and for Georgia.
For Armenia this recommendation is $12.5 million above the President's
request. While the committee does not set aside a specific amount for
Azerbaijan, the bill would retain exemptions in current law from a
statutory restriction on assistance to its government.
The committee supports the struggle for a better life by the people
of the Ukraine. Under this bill, Ukraine will continue to receive $125
million, one of our largest aid programs anywhere. Depending on
subsequent events in the Ukraine, the committee is willing to consider
additional funding for Ukraine at later stages in the appropriations
process.
Assistance for South and Southeast Asia is a relatively small part of
our bill, but its importance is far more substantial. Ongoing economic
growth and health programs in India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and
Indonesia provide the framework for subsequent investment by the
private sector and multilateral development banks. As we did last year,
AID is encouraged to use the Economic Support Fund to renew a basic
education program in Pakistan. It is a modest but important start
toward renewing our economic assistance program in this country.
We also provide funding for several smaller programs that do not get
enough attention, including $38 million for anti-terrorism assistance
and $40 million for humanitarian demining programs around the world.
Both of these programs help save lives. The Peace Corps is another
example, another program that has made an enormous difference in this
globe that we all share. We recognize its value and
[[Page H4335]]
importance, and we support the full request of funding of $275 million.
Mr. Chairman, before I conclude, I want to pay special tribute to my
ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), for her
cooperation in bringing this bill to the floor and developing the
recommendations that we have. I cannot say it strongly enough that she
has been a true delight to work with. We have, I think, a very positive
relationship; and I think both of us feel that way. But I do not want
my expressions of personal regard in this for the gentlewoman from New
York (Mrs. Lowey) to somehow leave the impression among her colleagues
on her side of the aisle that she is not doing everything humanely
possible to make sure we reduce roles in the 108th Congress.
Nonetheless, I hope that is not the case.
Mr. Chairman, I would not want to end my comments without also paying
special tribute to the staff members who have helped to make this
possible. Our subcommittee staff is led by the able Mr. Charlie
Flickner, whose number of years here has given him a special insight
into this legislation. He is joined by our professional assistants,
John Shank and Alice Grant, and our subcommittee clerk, Laurie Mays. My
own personal staff person, Sean Mulvaney, who has worked hard on this
bill, has helped to make it possible that we are here tonight.
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On the other side, of course, we have Mark Murray and the
gentlewoman's from New York (Ms. Lowey) personal staff person, Beth
Tritter, who I think have contributed tremendously to this legislation;
and I thank them personally for their contributions to this
legislation.
Mr. Chairman, I am proud of this bill. By the time I think the
Committee of the Whole completes its consideration, I am optimistic
that an overwhelming majority of the House will endorse the committee's
recommendations.
Mr. Chairman, I include the following tables for the Record.
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Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise in strong support of the fiscal year 2002 Foreign Operations
Appropriations Act.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which is the product of
close cooperation between the majority and the minority. I have always
said that the United States draws its strength as a global leader from
the consistent bipartisanship of our foreign policy. The bill we have
before us today represents the very best that bipartisanship and
compromise can achieve, and I am very proud to support it.
The bill provides the entire amount requested by the President for
Foreign Operations, which is nearly $2 billion above the level we had
achieved at this point in the process last year. I have stood here
during the debate over this measure in past years disappointed that we
did not have the resources to adequately address our foreign policy
priorities. Unfortunately, I still believe that this is true. We have
done a good job of prioritizing resources within our $15.2 billion
allocation, but we can do better, and I am hopeful we will eventually
achieve a level closer to the Senate's $15.5 billion allocation for
fiscal year 2002, and I hope that we will have more resources to
disburse in future years.
I am pleased that the bill provides a total $474 million for HIV/
AIDS. Of this amount, our bilateral HIV/AIDS funding totals $414
million, nearly $100 million above last year's level; and we fully fund
the President's request for a $100 million down payment to a global
HIV/AIDS trust fund. The other $100 million of this initial commitment
was requested from the Labor-HHS bill, and I look forward to working on
that subcommittee to make sure we provide these funds as well.
HIV/AIDS is an international crisis, as we know; and the United
States has a responsibility to lead the way on everything from
treatment to prevention, to caring for AIDS orphans, to crafting a
coordinated global strategy. I am proud that this bill has
significantly ramped up its support for these initiatives in recent
years, and I hope that we can continue this trend.
The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and I also worked together to
achieve an overall level of $150 million for basic education.
Development initiatives like education are the keystones to achieving
stable, healthy societies around the world. Education is one of the
most cost-effective of all of our foreign assistance investments; and
the collateral effects of educating children, and especially girls, are
profound. I am pleased that we could provide increases over the
President's request for education and for other development assistance
priorities.
The bill significantly increases the President's request for the
Export-Import Bank, which I know is a top priority for our chairman and
for many of our colleagues. We were able to increase United States
funding for UNICEF by $10 million and the United Nations Development
Program by $10 million. Both of these organizations do excellent work,
complementing United States bilateral programs in the developing world
and maximizing the impact of our foreign assistance dollars.
It is significant that the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and I
took our first trip together as chairman and ranking member to the
Middle East, and I am pleased that we worked together to make some
strong statements in this bill in support of the United States-Israel
relationship and the quest for peace and stability in that region.
We fully fund Israel's aid package, reinforcing our commitment to
maintaining strong ties between our two countries and ensuring that
Israel, our closest ally in the region, will maintain its qualitative
military edge. We continue assisting in the resettlement in Israel of
refugees from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. We send an
unequivocal signal to Chairman Arafat that we expect him to take
concrete steps to end the violence and terrorism that has gripped the
region, and we signal to the International Committee of the Red Cross
that we expect the pattern of prejudice against Magen David Adom to
end.
Mr. Speaker, despite our successes, I do not believe that this bill
will adequately fund all of our foreign assistance priorities; and
there are some key areas where it needs substantial improvement. The
bill includes $425 million for bilateral international family planning
assistance and $25 million for the UNFPA. I had hoped we could increase
our contribution to the lifesaving work of the UNFPA and that we could
return to the 1995 level of $541.6 million for bilateral family
planning assistance. The need for these programs far outpaces the
supply, and I believe we should be providing more resources to help
women plan their pregnancies and give birth to healthy children.
I remain deeply disappointed that the President chose to reimpose the
global gag rule restrictions on our bilateral family planning
assistance and that this bill is silent on this important issue. As
long as the global gag rule remains in place, we limit the impact of
the assistance we provide in almost every part of this bill; and I can
assure my colleagues that I will work hard during conference both to
boost our family planning assistance and to repeal the global gag rule.
There is not enough money in this bill to address the scourge of
infectious diseases such as TB and malaria, which cause complications
and deaths among the HIV positive population; and I strongly believe
that funding for HIV/AIDS and funding for other priorities must go hand
in hand. Any realistic development strategy must take into account that
there are a host of activities in which we must engage, and we must
carefully balance our resources among various priorities, because
progress in each area bolsters the others.
Our success in combating the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa and around the
world will depend upon our continued commitment to eradicating other
infectious diseases, increasing support for maternal health, educating
boys and girls, supporting micro credit and other financial services,
giving women the tools to become leaders in promoting democracy.
Fulfilling our potential to contribute to so many of these initiatives
will take a far larger investment than we provide today.
I also remain disappointed that the bill before us does not
adequately address the devastation that El Salvador has endured from
two major earthquakes. We have invested billions of dollars in
encouraging stability in that country, and I fear our past successes
will be reversed if we do not act quickly and decisively. Given this
body's past commitments to helping Latin America recover from horrible
disasters, given the importance of that region to our country, our
paltry commitment is troubling; and I sincerely hope we can address
this issue in conference.
I also share the concern of many of my colleagues on both sides of
the aisle about the Andean Regional Initiative, the successor program
to Plan Colombia. When Congress supported $1.3 billion and mostly
military assistance to Colombia and other countries in the region last
year, we believed that our funds would be supplemented by a substantial
investment of economic assistance on the part of our European friends.
Well, not only did the European contribution not come to fruition, but
our own economic assistance has moved extremely slowly.
We have begun a campaign of fumigation without giving farmers ample
opportunity to voluntarily eradicate coca crops. We have realized no
benefits from our programs in terms of increased stability and
prosperity in Colombia, and I think we need to take a careful look at
this program before we allow it to continue. Mr. Chairman, I look
forward to having a thorough debate on this topic as this bill
proceeds.
It is truly an honor and a privilege, Mr. Chairman, for me to serve
as ranking member of this subcommittee; and I am resolute in my belief
that our foreign assistance is both a moral imperative and a national
security necessity. As a fortunate Nation, we cannot turn our backs on
the terrible heartbreak and suffering in the world; and we must live up
to our responsibility to help those who have been left behind. As a
global leader, we must recognize that the United States will reap the
benefits from the stability nurtured by our aid.
I must say, in conclusion, that it is a true honor for me to serve
with the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe),
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the chairman of the subcommittee who, I believe, shares my commitment
to a robust foreign assistance program. Since we both assumed our new
positions in the 107th Congress, we have addressed the extraordinary
challenges and opportunities of this bill together. I sincerely
appreciate our close cooperation. I look forward to continuing to doing
good work together. It is a real honor, I say to the gentleman, to
serve with him and to work on these important issues.
I also want to thank the members of the subcommittee and the staff
who have been so instrumental in putting this bill together. I
particularly appreciate the hard work of Mark Murray, Charlie Flickner,
John Shank, Alice Grant, Lori Maes, Sean Mulvaney, Beth Tritter, and
all of the associate staffers for the majority and minority members.
In conclusion, it is truly a privilege for me to serve in this
capacity, working with the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe).
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her kind
remarks.
It is my great privilege to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg), a very able member of this subcommittee and
a very knowledgeable member and one who takes the work very seriously.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman very
kindly for those kind words; and I also want to rise in strong support
of this appropriations bill. I want to suggest that my colleagues on
both sides of the aisle rallied in support of this bill because this
year, I think especially, we have an extraordinary bill.
I must commend the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) for his hard
work and leadership as chairman of this subcommittee. He has
consistently sought to accommodate all members, and I want to include
myself in that group, because we all have different thoughts about how
to prepare, how to put this bill together. But he has remained focused
on bringing about a responsible and effective bill before us here
today. Not an easy task, but one he has accomplished, I believe, with
skill.
I want to additionally thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from New
York (Mrs. Lowey), our ranking member, for her leadership and her
effort. As we have in years past, members from both sides of the aisle
have once again worked together to make important progress on a number
of foreign assistance issues. I thank the gentlewoman for her
friendship and cooperation.
Obviously, the staff, the extraordinary staff needs a great deal of
thanks here, too, because they have been performing great work for us,
a contribution that frankly has resulted in a bill that would not have
been without their efforts, so I thank them, all of them, for their
efforts.
Foreign assistance remains an inseparable element of our Nation's
overall foreign policy, including national security and economic
interests. This is a responsible bill that effectively allocates the
foreign assistance that we have available, while providing vital
support for our Nation's interests.
This bill provides, as my colleagues probably already know, $753
million in export financing for the Export-Import Bank, which is $120
million greater than the President's request. With this funding, I hope
the bank will be able to maintain at least the level of activity
experienced this year.
The Export-Import Bank, sometimes looked upon as an unnecessary item,
really has a critical role to play in support of American exports and
the businesses and the workers who supply those products. Without
support from Ex-Im, billions of dollars in American exports simply
would not go forward. Ex-Im is especially important for small
businesses. Small businesses benefit from over 80 percent of the bank's
transactions. These exports remain crucial to our economy, and I will
continue to support Ex-Im throughout the appropriations process. And I
again want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe), the
chairman, for his leadership in this effort to get more money into this
account.
{time} 2015
One of the most important elements of U.S. foreign policy in this
legislation is the annual assistance package to the Middle East.
The United States has a vital role and has played a vital role in the
Middle East for several decades. That role should and will continue.
Congress has a responsibility to help shape our policy toward the
Middle East through the financial assistance provided in this bill.
Decisions regarding this funding must be carefully considered to ensure
that a proper balance is maintained.
I am also pleased that this bill fully supports the administration's
request for assistance to our ally, Israel, the only democracy in the
Middle East.
I am also pleased that this bill continues funding for the excellent
U.S. aid mission in Lebanon, as well as important programs in Egypt,
Jordan, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Together, these programs play a key role in advancing U.S. interests
in the Middle East, including fostering credibility and stability at
this crucial time. These programs should be continued, and this bill
appropriately maintains them.
The bill also strengthens our relationship to our friend and ally,
Armenia. This year we have seen some progress in efforts to resolve the
conflict among Armenia and Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabagh. During this
time, Armenia has consistently shown its commitment toward a lasting
peace, and has made notable progress with its economy and its effort to
eliminate corruption.
The assistance we provide remains important to these efforts.
Therefore, I am pleased that this bill increases assistance there by
$12.5 million over the President's request. I should note, however,
that this is still a little less than last year. I look forward to
working with the chairman in conference to develop some additional
assistance on that issue.
The legislation contains language directing the administration to
release the remainder of the $20 million provided in 1998 for victims
of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. There is great need in Nagorno-
Karabagh, and USAID has an obligation to commit this money immediately.
Mr. Chairman, there are other important programs in this bill,
including microenterprise loans, foreign military financing for the
Baltic countries, the resettlement of refugees in Israel, and, of
course, also significant funding beyond the President's request to
continue the fight against HIV/AIDS and the crisis in Africa and around
the world.
This is a good bill. I recommend that everyone get behind this bill
and support it. Both sides I think will realize so much has been done
with so little money.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson).
Mr. LAMPSON. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to me.
Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) and I have
agreed to a colloquy on my amendment to transfer $60,000 from title III
relating to the Foreign Military Financing Program account to title IV
relating to International Organizations and Programs account.
Mr. Chairman, this $60,000 is intended to cover the cost of expenses
relating to the development of a Guide to Best Practice by the
Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law
to cover the application of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects
of International Child Abduction.
Many of my colleagues have heard my drumbeat over the past years
regarding problems with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of
International Child Abduction. We must encourage uniform application of
exceptions identified in the Hague Convention.
This is jeopardizing the Hague Convention's effectiveness and
perverting its original intent. A best practice guide might discuss
training for legal professionals, encourage implementation of more
effective civil enforcement systems, support for victim families, and
improved access to noncustodial or left-behind parents.
The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and I attended the Fourth
Special Commission on the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of
International Child Abduction this past March. The special commission
recommended that a best practice guide
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be developed. The Hague Conference on Private International Law is
seeking voluntary contributions from member states to assist in funding
this best practice guide, which would cost approximately $60,000 for
the United States's portion.
The completion of a best practice guide would be an inventory of
existing central authority practices and procedures that is a practical
know-how-to guide to help practitioners, judges, central authorities to
implement the Hague Convention in a better way and as it was originally
intended. It will draw upon materials published and otherwise provided
by the central authorities themselves, in addition to the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the International Center for
Missing and Exploited Children, and other nongovernmental
organizations.
My request is driven by the need to bring about greater consistency,
but more importantly, to provide a mechanism for bringing more American
children home. Unless urgent and rapid action is taken, more and more
children will be denied their most basic human right, that of having
access to both their parents.
The challenge is now to find commitment at both the national and
international levels to implement these actions. Abducting a child
across border is never in a child's best interests. In the meantime,
the Hague Convention must be applied uniformly, fairly, and above all,
swiftly.
Only when countries accept that child abduction is not to be
tolerated will it become a thing of the past. Family disputes and
divorce will never go away. Parental child abduction, however, must be
eradicated.
Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for all his good
work. I appreciate his offer to work with me as the foreign operations
bill moves forward and goes to conference with the Senate to do
everything in his power to make sure that $60,000 is designated for the
purpose of developing and disseminating a best practice guide.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. LAMPSON. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Texas for
yielding to me.
I appreciate very much the comment he has made here this evening and
his interest in this program and bringing this to our attention.
As the gentleman said, this is a very small amount of money in the
grand scheme of things. It would accomplish the goal of creating more
consistency across-the-board with regard to the Hague Convention on the
Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
I would say to the gentleman that it is certainly my intention to
work with him to accommodate his request as the foreign operations
appropriations bill moves forward. As we go to conference, I do suspect
that there may be more funds that are available to us that will be
added to the International Organization and Programs Account, so we
hope this would be possible to do that.
I thank the gentleman again for bringing this to our attention.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I will withdraw my amendment, and thank
the chairman for his good work.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle), the distinguished chairman of the
Committee on the Budget.
Mr. NUSSLE. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, Mr.
Chairman.
I rise in support of H.R. 2506, a bill providing the appropriations
for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs. As
chairman of the Committee on the Budget, I am pleased to report to my
colleagues that this bill is within the appropriate levels of the
budget resolution and complies with the Congressional Budget Act.
H.R. 2506 provides $15.2 billion in budget authority and $15.1
billion in outlays for fiscal year 2002. The bill does not provide any
advanced appropriations or designate any emergency appropriations.
The amount of the new budget authority provided in this bill is
within the 302(b) allocation of the subcommittee, and is also compliant
with section 301(f) of the Budget Act, which prohibits consideration of
measures that exceed the reporting subcommittee's 302(b) allocations.
In summary, this bill is consistent with the budget resolution that
the Congress has agreed to earlier. On that basis, as well as for the
content therein, it is worthy of our support.
I support the bill, and I congratulate the gentleman from Arizona
(Chairman Kolbe) on his fine work, as well as the other subcommittee
members, in bringing this bill to the floor.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
(Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time
to me.
Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman
Kolbe) and the ranking member, my good friend, the gentlewoman from New
York (Mrs. Lowey), for crafting a fair and comprehensive bill that
addresses the needs of many nations throughout our world.
As conflicts continue around the globe, from Northern Ireland to the
Middle East, this bill has taken the appropriate steps to provide the
tools for future prosperity and the potential for true reconciliation.
The Middle East package includes balanced funding for Israel and
Egypt, as well as essential funding for Jordan and Lebanon.
Furthermore, the funding provided for the International Fund for
Ireland in the amount of $25 million is a crucial element in
facilitating an environment in Northern Ireland in which all sides can
live together and prosper for a common good.
Though I strongly support the passage of this bill, I have many
concerns regarding the Andean Initiative. In spite of the fact that
this funding is a vast improvement over Plan Colombia, I believe it
fails to address the need of countries such as Ecuador to effectively
battle in combat the spillover effect from the drug war and conflict in
Colombia.
Ecuador has been a true friend and ally, and deserves better
treatment from us in this bill. It is my hope that these funding
deficiencies will be addressed and rectified in conference.
Having said that, I want to congratulate the gentleman from Arizona
(Mr. Kolbe) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) for their
diligent work on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support its
passage.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), a very distinguished
senior member of the Committee on International Relations, and probably
the leading expert in the House of Representatives on Central America
and on Latin America. His devotion to that region is tremendous.
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Chairman, first I would like to thank the
gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) for allowing me to speak on
this bill.
Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the foreign operations bill,
and especially the provisions that fund the U.S. support of the war on
drugs in the Andes.
Over the years, I have traveled to the Andean region a number of
times to see firsthand the efforts being made to stop drug trafficking.
Although these efforts are nothing short of heroic, the war has yet to
be won.
Last year I worked with the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert)
and many other colleagues to develop and pass Plan Colombia, an aid
package which so far has done much to fight the production and
trafficking of illegal drugs in the region's biggest producer,
Colombia.
During my visits, I met with officials of the Columbian National
Police and the U.S.-trained army counternarcotics battalions who are
now stationed at the front of this drug war.
I am convinced that the tide is finally rising to our advantage. This
is a credit to the bravery of the Colombians and the support of the
United States. Changing course now, as some of my colleagues have
proposed, would be a fatal mistake for Colombia, the Andean region, and
the United States, and especially our children.
Mr. Chairman, let us face it, illegal drugs are killing our children.
In every congressional district in America, hospital emergency rooms
are treating
[[Page H4342]]
young children who overdose on illegal drugs. Some of these kids die.
Recent statistics show that 90 percent of the cocaine and 70 percent
of the heroin seized in the U.S. originated in Colombia. So why are
there amendments being offered to cut funding for the Andean
Counterdrug Initiative and the drug crop eradication programs when it
appears that the counternarcotics effort in the region is just starting
to have some success?
I have long supported the U.S. efforts to support the brave work of
the Columbian National Police and the newly-formed counternarcotics
battalions of the Colombian Army to fight the drug trafficking. Plan
Colombia is a sound policy which is only now beginning to be fully
implemented. The counternarcotics initiative contained in this bill
will ensure that work being done under Plan Colombia will continue.
With time, the appropriate equipment, and continued support from the
United States, Colombia and its Andean neighbors will be able to strike
a blow to drug trafficking in their own countries, and thereby greatly
reduce the amount of illegal drugs ending up in our streets with our
children.
I believe that fighting the drug trafficking is in the national
interest of the United States. We must fully support Colombia and its
neighbors for as long as it takes to win this drug war. Cutting funding
for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative now is wrongheaded, dangerous,
and could jeopardize the future of the democracy in the Andes, as well
as the lives of American children.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I am happy to yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder), who has been an outstanding person
working on drug interdiction issues and the task force on that.
(Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this bill for a number of
reasons. I would also like to initially say that I appreciate the
strong support for Israel in its present crisis, surrounded by people
desiring its destruction. It is very important in these times that we
stand with our friends.
Also, I have talked with the chairman about the support for
Macedonia, another friend of ours in the Balkans crisis, which has now
been driven into internal conflict because they stood with us, and it
is important as we watch this conflict, and I am sure in Macedonia,
that as it develops, if additional funds are needed through this
process, that they will be there.
{time} 2030
But tonight I would like to specifically speak to the appropriations
on the Andean initiative. I think it is very important to put some
perspective on the cost of the Andean initiative in the overall cost of
our narcotics strategy.
International programs cost just 5 percent of the national drug
control budget. Let me say that again, because I think it is critical
to this debate and will be very much confused. International programs
cost just 5 percent of our drug control budget. Demand reduction
accounts for 33 percent of that budget, over six times the amount we
spend on international programs, and domestic law enforcement 51
percent. Reducing the small amount of spending for international
programs would clearly have a devastating effect on the flow of illegal
drugs into the United States.
Our international programs have achieved significant success. In
Bolivia, coca cultivation has decreased by more than 70 percent due to
the commitment of President Banzer, who I wish well as he continues to
fight cancer. His fight against the drug lords will forever honor his
name. Also, Vice President Quiroga, and the numerous Bolivian soldiers
who used American assistance to go into the jungle and uproot almost
every coca plant in their country one by one, by hand. American-
sponsored development programs are beginning to provide meaningful
alternatives to the drug trade to everyday Bolivians.
When I visited there with the Speaker a number of times, we went into
the coca fields with the people and looked at the alternative
development. It has taken us 4 years. This is not easy. In Peru, coca
cultivation decreased by more than 70 percent between 1995 and 2000.
I also ask my colleagues to consider the critical impact of the
Andean Regional Initiative on the overall stability of our allies in
Central and South America. As we all know, Colombia is at a precarious
and crucial point in its democracy, which is one of the oldest in the
Western Hemisphere. Without our help, there is a significant likelihood
that it will become an outright narcostate effectively under the
control of armed terrorists and narcolords.
Likewise, in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and other vulnerable
nations, we will provide assistance not only to bolster their fight
against narcotics but also to help build democracies. But they have to
get control of their narcotics to help build the democracy, the rule of
law, and follow human rights. We will also promote alternative economic
development programs and provide reasonable levels of assistance for
economic development.
We must also acknowledge that the Andean initiative presents
significant challenges, which will have to be closely monitored and
followed every step of the way. It is nearly as fraught with
possibility for failure as it is with hope for success, but we have no
alternatives.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. Maloney).
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the bill
and commend the chairman, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe), and
my good friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs.
Lowey), for her great leadership.
Mr. Chairman, this is a strong bill that recognizes and includes our
national security and our national interests; that funds our allies in
the Middle East, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon; and it funds the
important International Fund for Ireland, Cyprus and many other
important allies. In addition, it funds the child survival account,
USAID, UNFPA, and takes into account and funds the AIDS crisis.
But in this bill we are being asked to consider a substantial
increase in aid for Peru. Peru has made substantial advances in recent
years in democratizing its system and improving its economy. These
improvements certainly deserve our support and assistance. But Peru has
imprisoned an American citizen, Lori Berenson, a constituent of mine,
under anti-terrorism laws that have been condemned by the international
human rights organizations.
Lori served 5\1/2\ years in prison under extremely harsh conditions
for a crime that Peru now agrees she did not commit. At her recent
civilian trial, Lori was acquitted of the leadership or membership of a
terrorist organization. For more than 5 years, Peru insisted that Lori
was the leader in a terrorist movement. For that crime she was
imprisoned in Peru's highest security prison for leaders of terrorist
movements. Now they concede that she was not even a member. At all
times Lori has maintained her innocence of the charges against her, and
during her recent trial she publicly denounced all forms of terrorism
and violence.
Lori's health has been damaged, and I will submit for the Record a
complete record of all the health problems that she now suffers from.
From the beginning, Members of Congress have supported her. And
recently over 142 Members joined me in a letter to the current
president asking him to pardon Lori before he leaves office. In his
recent meeting with President-elect Toledo, President Bush said that
humanitarian factors should be taken into account in the final
resolution of Lori's case. President Bush's conversation with
President-elect Toledo sends a very important message to Peru: the
United States will not forget Lori Berenson.
We should send Peru another message. It is troubling to me that we
are giving so much nonhumanitarian aid to Peru when they have treated
an American citizen so badly. If she is not released on humanitarian
grounds, Congress should take appropriate action.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, how much time is remaining?
[[Page H4343]]
The CHAIRMAN. The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) has 10\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California Ms. Pelosi), an outstanding member of the committee, the
former ranking member of the committee.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from New York, our
distinguished ranking member, for yielding me this time, and commend
her for her tremendous leadership as ranking member, and really over
time on the issues that are in this bill and so many more. I also want
to join in commending our distinguished chairman, who, as has been
acknowledged, is a very agreeable chairman to work with, in the
tradition of bipartisanship of this subcommittee.
I think they did a great job with what they had to work with. The
priorities are good. And of course the gentlewoman from New York Mrs.
Lowey) has been our champion on so many of the issues in the bill, and
I want to associate myself with the remarks she made in her opening
statement because I think it was a fine presentation, as always, on her
part.
I do have some areas of disagreement with the general bill, not with
the gentlewoman from New York but with the general bill, so I wanted to
take a few moments to express those. I will have an amendment, which is
not going to be in order, but at least I want to talk about it for a
moment.
I do not think that the bill gives sufficient resources, sufficient
to match the compassion of the American people or the needs of the
people of El Salvador in response to the earthquakes in El Salvador. It
is hard to imagine, Mr. Chairman, that the earthquakes in El Salvador
caused more damage in El Salvador than all of Hurricane Mitch did,
combined, in Central America. First, there was one earthquake, where
hundreds of people were killed and hundreds of thousands of homes
destroyed and people made homeless in January. And then, as fate would
have it, in February another earthquake struck, compounding the tragedy
enormously.
Traditionally, we, the United States, have provided 40 percent of the
outside international assistance to meet these needs. We do not come
anywhere near that in this bill. In any event, I am hopeful that at the
end of the legislative process, the appropriating process, that there
will be more funds, because there certainly is tremendous need.
Another area of disagreement I have in the bill is with, what are we
calling it now, Plan Colombia? The Andean Drug Initiative, I believe is
what it is called now. I opposed it when President Clinton proposed it
in his supplemental bill when he was in office, and I have opposed it
in supplemental this time, in subcommittee, full committee, and I will
on the floor as well when now the McGovern amendment will be presented
next week.
But let me just say this briefly. For us to say that we need to send
billions of dollars, billions of dollars, to Colombia in order to
reduce demand on drugs in the United States just simply does not make
sense. Now, if we have another agenda in Colombia and we want to help
the Colombian people, then I think we can find a better way than
sending military assistance to Colombia. But getting back to the
justification, which was to reduce demand in the United States, I want
to remind my colleagues that the RAND report tells us that to reduce
demand by 1 percent in the U.S. by using treatment on demand, it costs
about $32 million. To do so by eradication of the coca leaf in the
country of origin, it costs 23 times more than that, over $700 million,
to reduce demand by 1 percent.
There are 5\1/2\ million addicts in the country. Two million have
treatment; 3\1/2\ million do not. The money we send to El Salvador
would take care of about 10 percent only of those addicts to reduce
demand. However, we are not even matching domestically what we are
sending to El Salvador. We will talk, when the McGovern amendment comes
up, about particulars as far as the military is concerned.
I seem to have dwelled on areas of disagreement; yet I wish to
commend the distinguished chairman and the ranking member for the
increase in international AIDS funding both on a bilateral basis and
through the trust fund. I would like to see more money in for
infectious diseases, which the McGovern amendment strives to do, but I
do want to commend the chairman and the ranking member once again for
the spirit of cooperation that they brought to this very important
bill.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished
gentlewoman from New York, and I would like to thank both the chairman
and the ranking member for a very strong commitment of the United
States to its foreign policy through this legislation.
I would like to engage both the ranking member and the chairman in a
colloquy. I appreciate the opportunity to share our common concern for
the continuing human rights violations committed by the Ethiopian
Government. I have frequently voiced my serious concerns about the
human rights practices of the Ethiopian Government.
Recently, I was very concerned to learn of an indiscriminate attack
by police forces on the campus of Addis Ababa University on April 11,
2001, in the wake of peaceful demonstrations. I understand that as many
as 41 brave individuals were killed on or near the Addis Ababa
University, while another 250 persons were injured in an inhuman attack
by police forces. I hope my colleagues will join me in denouncing such
human rights violations.
As an aside, my colleagues know that my predecessor, Mickey Leland,
died in Ethiopia trying to help the starving Ethiopians at that time.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I yield to the gentlewoman from New York.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I share the concerns enunciated by my
colleague, and I hope the Congress continues to monitor the human
rights situation in Ethiopia closely.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Reclaiming my time, I thank the
gentlewoman; and as I indicated, I want to thank the chairman for his
concern as well and particularly his concern about human rights abuses.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. KOLBE. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank her for
her interest and her involvement in this issue. I am also concerned, as
is the ranking member, when Ethiopia is cited for human rights
violations. And I can assure the gentlewoman from Texas that we will
continue to monitor the situation in that country.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working
with both of my colleagues; and as I indicated, I know Mickey Leland,
who served in this body, would be very proud that we would carry on his
tradition of protecting the human rights of all citizens, and
particularly those in Ethiopia.
{time} 2045
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Roemer).
(Mr. ROEMER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my good friend, the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Pelosi), and those in the majority party
who have been helpful on the Microenterprise Loans for the Poor
Program.
Certainly this is one of the most important programs that the United
States engages in which primarily benefits not only the poorest of the
poor and the most vulnerable of the vulnerable out there in the world,
but it also helps grow small businesses, and it helps primarily women.
We want to continue to show our very strong support for this program
and do it by making sure that these programs have the sufficient amount
of money. I believe this bill has $155 million. Last year, we
authorized the bill at $167 million.
I would hope this bill would continue to move forward in
appropriating even more money for the Microenterprise Loans for the
Poor Program and also provide the microcredit programs with the poverty
assessment tools, the ability for the microenterprise programs to work
with USAID and target these funds to the poorest people that are
eligible in the different parts of the world where this program really
benefits
[[Page H4344]]
growing small businesses, helping families, and targets aid to help our
allies all across the world.
Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs.
Lowey) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) for their
strong help. I want to continue to encourage the gentleman from Arizona
(Mr. Kolbe), the chairman, to fund and conference this program at the
authorized level. I think we could go about $12 million higher and also
work with the microcredit programs to work on this poverty assessment
tool.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman and the ranking
member of the subcommittee for their good work on a bipartisan basis in
crafting out this bill.
I think it is important for us to remember a lesson from the gospel
of John in which we are told ``to those who much have been given, much
is expected.''
That is why the United States of America is engaged in so many
different areas around the globe. We have been a very affluent country.
We are the most affluent country in the world. Therefore, it is
incumbent upon us to be involved with the rest of the world.
This bill makes many, many statements about our values. Values about
health care as we have addressed problems with land mines and displaced
children and AIDS around the globe. Values about peace, military
assistance, nonproliferation assistance, the Western Hemisphere School
for Peace in Latin America. Values about jobs as we work through trade
in Ex-Im Bank and USAID and various financing mechanisms. Values about
drugs as our anti-narcotics control and our cooperation for them, our
efforts. Values about the environment, the debt for development, saving
the tropical rain forests around the globe. International assistance
because of disasters.
Mr. Chairman, one of things people back home ask me is, why do we
have a foreign aid bill? I say, just think about Rwanda. Several years
ago we saw the picture of the children, of 300,000 people dying. What
did we, as Americans, want to do? We wanted to respond to our natural
goodness, to go out and give aid and assistance to the people in that
poor country.
That is what we are doing with the foreign aid bill, this Foreign
Operations Appropriations bill here tonight. We are saying we are going
to act proactively so we can act reactively a little bit less and help
the rest of the world enjoy all of the fruits and benefits that we as
an American people have so enjoyed in this century. We are going to
continue that involvement.
Mr. Chairman, I look forward to the debate on this bill and look
forward to its final passage.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to commend the
efforts of several Florida-based institutions who are working to
address the too-often ignored problem of Mother-to-Child-Transmission
of HIV-AIDS in Africa.
We have spoken much about the overall crisis of HIV-AIDS in Africa,
but the aspect of innocent children on the Continent contracting HIV-
AIDS has not been as widely discussed. According to the most recent
statistics from UNAIDS, the rates of HIV infection among African women
are high. In several countries, more than 15 percent of women of
reproductive age have contracted the virus. As high as 35 percent of
these women will pass on the virus to their children curing pregnancy,
during labor and delivery or during breast-feeding.
Already, more than 600,000 African children age 14 or below have died
from HIV-AIDS, and an additional one million African children are now
living with the disease.
Mr. Chairman, the Foundation for Democracy in Africa, through its
Institute for Democracy in Africa based in Miami, Florida, is leading
efforts to enhance the capacity of African medical personnel to
properly handle HIV-positive mothers so that their babies do not join
the growing list of victims of this merciless killer disease. The
Foundation is currently working with the University of Miami's Jackson
Memorial Hospital to develop a comprehensive HIV-AIDS treatment
strategy for African nations. This collaboration is being encouraged
and facilitated by Miami-Dade County.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to encourage their own local and
state institutions to put in place efforts to use their resources and
expertise in the fight against the scourge of HIV-AIDS in Africa.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2506, the
Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for FY 2002. I commend the
efforts of my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee who worked
hard to guarantee that this bill adequately funds U.S. programs in the
Middle East that help facilitate peace. I am particularly pleased that
H.R. 2506 allocates $35 million in funding for economic and educational
programs in Lebanon. This bill also provides needed assistance to Egypt
and Jordan, key allies in this troubled region who have worked
diligently with the U.S. to bring about an immediate cessation of
violence and a comprehensive, permanent peace agreement between
Israelis and Palestinians.
While overall I am pleased with the funding provided H.R. 2506, I am
troubled the language of this legislation that blames the Palestinian
Authority--and solely the Palestinian Authority--for the violence that
has consumed the Occupied Territories and Israel since September 28,
2000. It was on that date, I would note, that the Al Aqsa Intifada was
sparked by the reckless, provocative act of a desperate Israeli
politician, Ariel Sharon, who has since become Israeli Prime Minister.
I believe the United States must be engaged and committed to bringing
about a fair and lasting peace to this troubled land. The U.S. must act
as a fair and unbiased arbiter in the peace process. If we take biased
positions and pass one-sided pieces of legislation, we hinder our
ability to broker peace. The United States is the only nation who can
broker peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. However, when we
take sides, hope wavers and desperation increases. Desperation leads to
fear and anger, which in the Middle East begets violence between the
Israelis and Palestinians. This, in turn, raises tension in the region
and increases the likelihood of the outbreak of a larger regional war.
Mr. Chairman, Section 563 of this bill requires the President to
submit a report to Congress determining whether the Palestinian
Authority has taken steps to comply with the 1993 Oslo Agreement and
prevent attacks on Israelis. If the President does not determine that
the Palestinians have fully complied, this section would not only cut
off U.S. assistance to the Palestinians--none of which, incidentally,
is given directly to the Palestinian Authority or the PLO--but also
shut down their Washington office and insure that the American people
hear only one side of this 53 year-old conflict.
On April 30, 2001, the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee, headed
by George Mitchell, issued its report on the current conflict. The
Mitchell Report highlights the fact that both the Palestinian and
Israeli governments can and should do more to halt the bloodshed. It
concludes that neither government is beyond reproach for their conduct
in this sustained confrontation. It notes that both the Israeli and
Palestinian populations have lost faith that the negotiating process
will meet their goals. For Israelis, ongoing violence has led many to
believe that the security of Israel will not be guaranteed through
negotiations. For Palestinians, settlement expansion and property
confiscation is seen as a demonstration that Israel never will
relinquish control of the West Bank and Gaza. The Report also notes
that both settlement activity and terrorist attacks must end if
confidence in the peace process is to be restored on both sides.
Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, in the spirit of the Mitchell Report, I
would gladly support Section 563 if it also required the President to
make a report determining if Israel has complied with Oslo and taken
steps in the interest of peace.
Congress must act responsibly on issues affecting the Middle East,
particularly since the Bush Administration continues its policy of
disengagement. Already, the violence, economic turmoil, and diplomatic
stalemate that exists today has generated disillusionment with the
peace process among Israelis and Palestinians. However, these feelings
are growing much more pronounced due to the Bush Administration's tepid
commitment to the peace process. Apathy is not an option, because
without American leadership, the current conflict will escalate and
engulf the region. Our allies, such as Egypt and Jordan, and millions
of people in the region rely heavily on the American commitment to
brokering a fair peace and preventing such as war from occurring.
Mr. Chairman, in my hand I have a resolution that expresses the sense
of the House that, in absence of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement
brokered by themselves or the United States to halt this current round
of bloodshed, the United Nations should consider sending peacekeeping
forces into the West Bank and Gaza Strip. I believe that it is in the
interests of all parties to explore any reasonable avenue that could
lead to a permanent peace agreement between the Palestinians and
Israelis. I believe U.N. peacekeepers would help cool tensions on the
ground, monitor any cease-fire agreement including that recommended by
the Mitchell Report, and
[[Page H4345]]
make the climate more conducive for peace. Peace, after all, is in the
interest of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the United States, the
Middle East region, and the world. This resolution does not blame the
ongoing violence on the Palestinians, nor does it blame the Israelis.
It simply states that this body is in favor of a reasonable, fair
policy that promotes peace.
Mr. Chairman, hope in the peace process cannot become a casualty of
this ongoing conflict. I urge my colleagues to oppose one-sided
policies that help no one but harm everyone, including Israel. I urge
them instead to join me as a cosponsor of a constructive piece of
legislation that, if passed, will demonstrate that America is a fair
arbiter of peace who is more interested in ending this deep, bitter
conflict rather than sustaining it.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time in
general debate.
The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment
under the 5-minute rule, and the amendments printed in House Report
107-146 are adopted.
Pursuant to the order of the House of today, no amendment to the bill
may be offered on the legislative day of July 19, 2001, except pro
forma amendments offered by the chairman or ranking minority member of
the Committee on Appropriations or their designees for the purpose of
debate and amendments printed in the Congressional Record and numbered
4, 8, 17, 21, 22, 25, 28, 29, 30, 32, 35, and 37.
Each such amendment may be offered after the Clerk reads through page
1, line 6, and may amend portions of the bill not yet read.
No further amendment to the bill may be offered after that
legislative day except pro forma amendments offered by the chairman or
ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their
designees for the purpose of debate and amendments printed in the
Congressional Record on that legislative day, or any record before that
date.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. R. 2506
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes, namely:
Amendment No. 28 Offered by Ms. Millender-McDonald
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 28 offered by Ms. Millender-McDonald:
In title II of the bill under the heading ``child survival
and health programs fund'', insert before the period at the
end the following: ``: Provided further, That of the amount
made available under this heading for HIV/AIDS, $5,000,000
shall be for assistance to prevent mother-to-child HIV/AIDS
transmission through effective partnerships with
nongovernmental organizations and research facilities
pursuant to section 104(c)(5) of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b(c)(5))''.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Chairman, this amendment earmarks at a
minimum $5 million to prevent mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission.
For two Congresses, the 106th and the 107th Congress, I have led the
fight on the issue of mother-to-child transmission prevention. Mother-
to-child transmission is by far the largest source of HIV infection in
children under the age of 15 worldwide.
One year ago, the United Nations estimated that 600,000 infants were
infected with the virus, bringing the total number of young children
living with HIV to over 1 million. Of the 5 million infants infected
with HIV since the beginning of the pandemic, about 90 percent have
been born in Africa due to a combination of high fertility rates and
high HIV prevalence in pregnant women.
Mr. Chairman, we should not lose sight of the fact that the number of
cases in India, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean are rising at alarming
rates.
Mr. Chairman, the virus may be transmitted during pregnancy, labor,
delivery or breast feeding after a child's birth. Among infected
infants who are not breast fed, most mother-to-child transmission
occurs around the time of delivery just before or during labor and
delivery. In populations where breast feeding is the norm, breast
feeding accounts for more than one-third of all cases of the mother-to-
child transmission. In sub-Saharan Africa, mother-to-child transmission
is contributing substantially to rising child mortality rates.
AIDS is the biggest single cause of child death in a number of
countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS from
mother-to-child is one of the most important prevention programs on
which we need to focus. No HIV agenda is complete without programs to
enable a mother to prevent perinatal infection of her child. The most
effective means of doing so today is anti-drugs for pregnant women and
providing mothers with practical alternatives to breast feeding.
Although in theory we can make promising new treatments available to
every pregnant woman in the developing world, the challenge does not
stop there. Treatment must be done in an ethical and humanistic manner.
Counseling and voluntary testing are critical services necessary to
help infected women accept their HIV status and the risk it poses to
their unborn child. Confidentiality is paramount in counseling and when
providing voluntary services programs where women identified as HIV
positive may face discrimination, violence and death.
Replacement feeding is an important part of the strategy but should
not undermine decades of promoting breast feeding as the best possible
nutrition for infants. HIV-infected mothers must have access to
information, follow-up clinical care and support.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, the United States Agency of International
Development has examined the astounding numbers of children affected by
HIV/AIDS and has stated time and time again that effective intervention
can drastically reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
They recognize that the effectiveness of simple and low-cost
treatments can be effectively implemented in developing nations, and
they are prepared to place among their highest priorities specific
mother-to-child projects to women worldwide to enable them to rescue
their babies from certain death as a result of HIV/AIDS.
It is my hope, Mr. Chairman, that a minimum of $5 million cited in
this amendment be taken from the HIV account. It will substantially
impact mother-to-child programs. This by no means should be seen as
affecting the core programs of the Child Survival Account.
With these facts in mind, I offer this important amendment. We can
save millions of children's lives if we act on this amendment. I ask my
fellow colleagues their support to make this amendment adopted, and
hopefully the conferees can reach an agreement to increase the funding.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment that is offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald). I think she very
well explained the importance of this program, and I think her
amendment does represent good public policy.
Mr. Chairman, I accept the amendment.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of
words.
Mr. Chairman, I join the Chair in congratulating the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) on her excellent amendment, and we
look forward to working with her on these very important issues.
Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of this
critical amendment offered by my colleague, the gentlewoman from
California, Juanita Millender-McDonald.
I would like to commend the gentlewoman for her leadership in the
area of HIV/AIDS mother-to-child prevention, and recognize her 3-year
fight to get this language included into law.
Mr. Chairman, ten percent of all individuals who become infected with
HIV/AIDS Virus worldwide are children. Mother-to-children infection is
the largest source of HIV infection in children under the age of 15 and
the only source of transmission for babies.
Each year, the total number of births to HIV-infected pregnant women
in developing countries is approximately 3.2 million. Last year, the
United Nations estimated that 600,000 children age 14 or younger were
infected with
[[Page H4346]]
HIV. 90% of those 600,000 children were babies born to HIV positive
mothers. Mr. Speaker, that is 540,000 children who never have a chance.
There has been much discussion recently throughout the developed
world that although these is no cure for HIV or AIDS, it can be
controlled with the right combination of drugs. This is just not true
in developing countries. Drugs are too expensive and the infection rate
has reached pandemic proportions. This amendment will appropriate $5
million toward mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission prevention in
developing countries. Mr. Speaker, this is a very small price to pay to
fight this terminal disease before, during, and after birth, giving
these children a fighting chance for survival instead of no change for
survival.
I know the gentlewoman from California will continue to fight for
funding for mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission prevention so we may
save millions of yet unborn children's lives.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 35 Offered by Mr. Souder
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 35 offered by Mr. Souder:
Page 25, line 2, insert before the period at the end the
following: ``: Provided further, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading, $27,000,000 shall be for
assistance to the Colombian National Police for the purchase
of two Buffalo transport/supply aircraft, $12,000,000 shall
be for assistance to the Colombian Navy to purchase six Huey-
II patrol helicopters, and $5,000,000 shall be for assistance
for operating fuel to enhance drug interdiction efforts along
the north coast of Colombia and inland rivers''.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman reserves a point of order.
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Chairman, Colombia is critical to our efforts to keep
the devastation of narcotics from American streets but just as
importantly to the overall security of our hemisphere. I chair the
Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources,
which is the authorizing subcommittee for the Office of National Drug
Control Policy and the oversight committee for all anti-drug efforts in
all branches of our Federal Government.
Mr. Chairman, I want to clear up as we begin this debate a key point.
I have also worked on the Drug-Free Schools Program in the Committee on
Education and the Workforce. We authorize the Drug-Free Communities Act
through our committee. I support efforts to boost drug treatment
funding. I have worked in the student loan area with the drug-free
student loan amendment. I have worked across the board on treatment, on
prevention, on interdiction, on law enforcement, on eradication, and
alternative development.
{time} 2100
But we cannot have a fair debate if we continue to have a distortion
of where our expenditures go. Five percent go to international. Thirty-
three percent to prevention and treatment. We can argue whether the
ratio should be 7, 10 times for prevention treatment as opposed to the
5 percent international, but let us not get this false impression that
we are spending more. Not only in Colombia but in all of our
international we spend 5 percent according to the Office of Drug
Control Policy.
Now, my amendment specifically addresses something that we have
worked with in cooperation with other committees, the Department of
State and the Government of Colombia to ensure that Colombia receives
effective aid from the United States and that these programs are
administered to ensure maximum support to the Government of Colombia in
its extremely difficult and challenging fight against narcotics
traffic.
This amendment deals with two very specific needs which have been
identified by our oversight activities. This reflective of a request
which was endorsed by holdover members of the Speaker's Task Force for
a Drug Free America, several members of the Committee on International
Relations, including Chairman Hyde, Chairman Emeritus Gilman, and
Subcommittee Chairman Ballenger as well as Chairman Burton of the full
Committee on Government Reform.
This amendment would provide $27 million to the Colombian National
Police for the purchase of two Buffalo transport/supply aircraft, $12
million to the Colombian Navy to purchase six Huey-II patrol
helicopters to enhance drug interdiction efforts along the north coast
of Colombia and inland rivers, and $5 million to the Colombian Navy for
operating fuel for the same purpose.
Our oversight activities have strongly suggested that these pieces of
equipment are urgently needed to fill important unmet needs in
Colombia. The Colombian National Police continues to require airlift
capability in support of interdiction and law enforcement activities
which is capable of providing significant lift at high altitude where
the heroin poppy grows and the ability to land at remote and short-
field airstrips.
Without this type of equipment, there are parts of the country which
are extremely difficult to reach and that are effectively under the
control of narcotics traffickers. The House committees who have studied
this issue believe that the aircraft which have been recommended by the
State Department will not be sufficient for this purpose and that the
planes will not be forthcoming without congressional action.
Similarly, the Colombian Navy requires assistance and suitable
equipment to patrol the north coast of Colombia and inland rivers which
are extremely difficult to access and often left to narcotics traffic
because of the lack of suitable equipment to enforce the rule of law.
Again this particular assistance has not to date been provided by the
United States and needs to be supported by congressional action.
Mr. Chairman, my colleagues and I have looked very carefully at this
issue and believe that these particular pieces of equipment will make a
significant and meaningful contribution to narcotics control.
Colombians continue to put their lives on the line every day under
extremely volatile circumstances to fight a narcotics problem which is
caused, to a great extent, by American demand as well as European
demand but, to a great extent, by our demand. We are undertaking a
comprehensive approach to address all facets of this problem, including
reducing that demand. But it is certainly the least we can do to help
with basic equipment needs.
I understand that this amendment is subject to a point of order. I
look forward to continuing to work with the chairman as do the other
sponsors of this amendment and with the State Department in these
specifics.
Mr. Chairman, I withdraw the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the amendment is withdrawn.
There was no objection.
Amendment No. 17 Offered by Mr. Delahunt
Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 17 offered by Mr. Delahunt:
Page 112, after line 22, insert the following:
report on implementation of colombian national security legislation
Sec. ____. (a) Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the
Secretary of State, after consultation with representatives
from internationally recognized human rights organizations,
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
report on the implementation of the Colombian national
security legislation passed by the Colombian Congress on June
20, 2001.
(b) Each such report shall provide a description of the
effects of the security legislation on human rights in
Colombia and efforts to defend human rights in Colombia,
focusing particularly on--
(1) incidents of arbitrary and incommunicado detention by
members of the Colombian Armed Forces and the Colombian
National Police, and whether those incidents have increased
since the submission of the previous report;
(2) the status of investigations into allegations of human
rights abuses by members of the Colombian Armed Forces and
the Colombian National Police;
(3) the effectiveness of certain investigations conducted
by military personnel, as provided for in the security
legislation, as opposed to those carried out by appropriate
civilian authorities; and
(4) the effects of the security legislation on Colombia's
commitments under international treaties.
[[Page H4347]]
(c) The requirement to submit a report under this section
shall not apply with respect any period of time during with
the security legislation is not in effect.
(d) In this section, the term ``appropriate congressional
committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
International Relations of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order against this
amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman reserves a point of order.
Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Chairman, let me begin by echoing the sentiments
that have been expressed by others regarding the hard work and the
dedication of both the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and the
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey). The bill is a good product. I
think all of us wish that there were more resources to work with.
Having said that, it is a reflection of what I believe to be the
priorities and values of the vast majority of Members in this House.
My amendment, Mr. Chairman, would require the State Department to
report to the United States Congress on the implementation of
legislation that was passed in the Colombian Congress last month. That
bill will soon be officially transmitted to President Pastrana. It is
anticipated that he will sign this particular proposal.
Although much improved from its earlier versions, this legislation
still contains ambiguous provisions that could threaten civilian
oversight of the military in Colombia and place at risk the progress
that has been made toward reforming the military under the leadership
of President Pastrana and Armed Forces Chief Fernando Tapias over the
course of the past several years.
Continued progress towards genuine and permanent reform should be a
prerequisite for American assistance to Colombia's security forces.
Only a few years ago, the Colombian military had the worst human rights
record in the hemisphere. Until the military is professional and free
from links to so-called paramilitary groups, it will be a part of the
problem in Colombia rather than the solution.
No military force should be entrusted with the kinds of extraordinary
powers that could be interpreted by some to be included in the current
draft of this legislation. And while the current leadership is reform-
minded, Colombia will elect a new government next May. So it is
impossible to predict who will interpret and implement this legislation
in the future. Will it be those who insist on continued reform or those
who would return to the days of impunity on the part of the military?
The United States has made a massive commitment in the Colombian
military predicated in part on its commitment to reform. This
legislation pending before the chief executive of Colombia could
imperil that commitment. It is imperative that we closely track its
implementation if it should become law.
I know this amendment that I propose to offer was not protected under
the rule and the gentleman has made a point of order against it. I have
had discussions with the gentleman from Arizona and understand that he
is willing to work together to include a reporting requirement in
conference.
At this time I would like to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) to confirm my understanding of our agreement.
I would ask the gentleman whether he agrees with the intent of this
amendment and will work with me to have the reporting requirement
included in the conference report.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. DELAHUNT. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate his comments and his question.
I commend the gentleman from Massachusetts for bringing this matter to
the attention of the House. I think what he is proposing to do is a
good amendment. I would be very happy to work with him to be sure that
we have some kind of reporting requirement included in the conference
report.
Mr. DELAHUNT. I thank the gentleman and look forward to working with
him in this matter.
Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be
withdrawn.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Amendment No. 22 Offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 22 offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas:
Page 11, line 12, insert before the period the following:
``: Provided, That of the amount made available under this
heading, $10,000,000 shall be for disaster relief and
rehabilitation for India with respect to the earthquake in
India in January 2001''.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order against this
amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman reserves a point of order.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I know that this is an issue
that both the chairman and the ranking member are very much aware of.
I am offering today an amendment to the Foreign Operations
appropriations bill that will provide much needed support to those in
need in India. Just a few months ago as the Indo-American community was
celebrating the anniversary of the democracy of India, the Republic of
India, on that very day the country was experiencing a very devastating
earthquake, January 26, 2001, which struck the western part of India
causing enormous human suffering. Five days later, the House passed H.
Con. Res. 15, a resolution supporting the joint efforts of our
government, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the
international community to provide assistance to the Government of
India and to the private voluntary organizations that are engaged in
relief efforts. Might I add, Mr. Chairman, that in addition, the
excellent work of the Indo-American community in advocating for their
friends and relatives in India and joining with those of us here in the
United States of like concern. I have wanted very much to be able to
provide the assistance that this devastation warranted.
Despite a decisive show of support from Congress through its passage
of H. Con. Res. 15, relief efforts have been severely hampered by
insufficient resources. Therefore, on June 18 I introduced H. Con. Res.
151, a resolution which reaffirmed the deepest sympathies of Congress
to the citizens of India for the losses suffered as a result of the
earthquake. More importantly, it expresses Congress' support for
continuing and substantially increasing the amount of disaster
assistance being provided by the United States Agency for International
Development and other relief agencies. In that resolution, I stated
that $100 million is the minimum needed amount for recovery from the
earthquake. Here today I am only asking that we earmark in the
international disaster assistance account $10 million for these
recovery efforts.
As the most populous democracy on the Earth and a strategic partner
of the United States, we have ample reason to support India. This
amount would be a mere recognition of our commitment to assisting them.
The international community must develop a donor strategy that uses
rehabilitation efforts as an opportunity to improve village life,
including sanitation facilities, safer design of homes and
neighborhoods, improved land drainage and waste disposal. Having just
come through a very terrible storm in Houston and knowing what tragedy
is and how it changes lives, I can tell you when I saw the devastation
in India through media reports, I was immediately drawn to their
tragedy, having traveled to India with the President in the last year.
I would urge my colleagues and urge the consideration of the waiver
of the point of order, but in essence, Mr. Chairman, and to the
chairman and the ranking member, I would like to see us work through
this issue. I will look forward to working with an amendment next week,
the Crowley amendment, but this amendment would add an additional $10
million, and I would hope that possibly we could resolve this as we
look to continue our friendship and support for the people of India.
[[Page H4348]]
Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to the Foreign
Operations Appropriations bill that will provide some much needed
support to those in need in India.
Today, many of our friends in India are still wondering when they
will obtain the needed assistance to rebuild their society. On January
26, 2001, a devastating earthquake struck western India, causing
enormous human suffering. Five days later, the House passed H. Con. 15,
a resolution supporting the joint efforts of our government, the World
Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the international community to
provide assistance to the government of India and to the private
voluntary organizations that are engaged in relief efforts.
Despite a decisive show of support from Congress through its passage
of H. Con. 15, relief efforts have been severely hampered by
insufficient resources. Therefore, on June 18, I introduced H. Con.
Res. 151, a resolution which reaffirms the deepest sympathies of
Congress to the citizens of India for the losses suffered as a result
of the earthquake. More importantly, it expresses Congress' support for
continuing and substantially increasing the amount of disaster
assistance being provided by the United States Agency for International
Development and other relief agencies. In that resolution, I stated
that $100 million is the minimum needed amount for recovery from he
earthquake. Here today, I am only asking that we earmark in the
International Disaster Assistance Account $10 million for these
recovery efforts.
As the most populous democracy on the earth and a strategic partner
of the United States, we have ample reason to support India. This
amount would be a token of recognition of this partnership.
The international community must develop a donor strategy that uses
rehabilitation efforts as an opportunity to improve village life,
including sanitation facilities, safer design of homes and
neighborhoods, improved land drainage and waste disposal systems. We
must also find innovative ways to assist the poor and marginalized who
have the fewest resources to recover from the disaster.
Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, which
contains a modest earmark request. This amendment will reflect the
symbiotic relationship that Americans have with the people of India.
Your continued support for these relief activities will help make the
rebuilding process in India a reality.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
Mr. Chairman, let me just say briefly to the gentlewoman from Texas
that I was in India 6 weeks ago, and I had an opportunity to meet with
a number of government officials, including those that have been
responsible for responding to the terrible disaster in Gujarat. We
heard from them an expression of support for the efforts that have been
made by the United States, both by the government and by the NGOs, to
respond; but explicitly we were told that India as a very large country
had sufficient resources to deal with this problem and they were not
specifically asking us for additional funds, at least not at that time.
I would also note that we have never, never earmarked money in the
disaster relief account for specific disasters. It is there, as it
suggests, for disasters. If you start earmarking for specific
disasters, you have lost the point of what that account is for.
However, I am quite certain that the USAID would be prepared to
entertain any request from the Indian government that might come for
some funds from that account.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. KOLBE. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for
yielding. I appreciate very much the gentleman's opportunity to have
visited with the leadership in India. As he well knows, many of us
represent very strong and vibrant Indo-American communities who have
worked to raise moneys to assist their friends and relatives in India.
I would ask the gentleman if he would continue to work with me in
monitoring the needs of the government of India, working with AID. As
we do that and monitor the circumstances, I would be encouraged to
withdraw this amendment at this time so that we could work together and
ensure that as India may raise its issues of need, that we would be
prepared to address it to the international disaster relief under the
AID.
{time} 2115
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would note that in our
report in the account for the International Disaster Assistance, we do
have a recommendation to USAID that they use at least $1 million each
for India and El Salvador for disaster preparedness activities. So we
have a focus on where we think we can be most useful in helping these
countries prepare for disasters which might befall them in the future.
I appreciate the gentlewoman's comments, and certainly we will
continue to monitor the situation in India and want to make sure that
all help is being given that can possibly be given.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman would
continue to yield, I would look forward to working with the gentleman
on this matter, as I said, monitoring the circumstances in India, and
as well if you will, advising or keeping abreast of the Indo-American
community.
Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman
from Texas?
There was no objection.
Amendment No. 21 Offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas
Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 21 offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas:
At the end of the bill, insert after the last section
(preceding the short title) the following:
prohibition on assistance for foreign governments that use children as
soldiers
Sec. ____. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be made available to the government of a country that--
(1) conscripts children under the age of 18 into the
military forces of the country; or
(2) provides for the direct participation of children under
the age of 18 in armed conflict.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order against this
amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman reserves a point of order.
The gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, again, to the chairman and
ranking member, let me start by saying that I would hope that this is
such an egregious and heinous set of circumstances that we would find a
way to waive the point of order because of the enormous need.
This amendment would prohibit the funding in the bill for nations
that conscript children under the age of 18 or use child soldiers in
armed conflict. This is simply a small step that should be taken that
this Nation now sees as a priority.
It is important to place this prohibition within the bill, since our
very body is on record as denouncing the inhumane practice of using
children as soldiers. In fact, just this May this Chamber passed a
Foreign Relations Authorization Act that requires the United States
State Department to compare information on what countries recruit,
conscript, and use child soldiers.
What happens with child soldiers is they lose not only their lives in
many instances, they lose their spirit. They are sometimes mutilated,
they are sometimes caused to mutilate others. We looked at the
devastation of children in Sierra Leone and attended hearings dealing
with children who had been subject to amputation, either by other
children playing warriors or because they were in the way of war. It is
important to say to nations that we will use and study war no more with
children.
Last year the United States Government signed two landmark protocols
that address prostitution, the impact of pornography on children, and
the goal or practice of child labor. This resolution is entirely
complimentary and applauds the decision by the United States Government
to support the protocol that condemns the use of children as soldiers
by government and non-government forces.
Further, the House passed H. Con. Res. 348, a resolution that
condemns the use of children as soldiers, and there is a good reason
why we did. This is a commonsense step forward. I realize that the
drafting of the language of this particular amendment is particularly
direct and may seem strong and
[[Page H4349]]
harsh, and it may be suggested that there is no authorization for such.
I would hope that the passage of the parallel resolutions would give us
the ability to allow this amendment to stand, which would be to
eliminate funding to countries that continue to conscript children into
war.
Let me give the basis of this, as well as to say my commitment to
this is so strong that I am hoping my colleagues on the appropriations
conference committee will consider language that will allow this to be
part of the final bill.
It is estimated that 300,000 children under the age of 18 are engaged
in armed military conflicts in more than 30 countries and are currently
fighting in armed conflicts. Sadly, far too many of these wonderful
children are forcibly conscripted through kidnapping or coercion and
others join because of economic needs. I can assure you that many times
their parents sell them or send them away because of the economic need.
Briefly, Mr. Chairman, let me share a story with you about a boy who
tried to escape from the rebels, but he was caught. ``His hands were
tied, and then they made us,'' the other new captives, ``kill him with
a stick. I felt sick. I knew this boy from before. We were from the
same village. I refused to kill him, and they told me they would shoot
me. They pointed a gun at me, so I had to do it. The boy was asking me,
'Why are you doing this?' I said, 'I have no choice.' After we killed
him, they made us smear his blood on our arms. They said we had to do
this so that we would not fear death and so that we would not try to
escape. I still dream about the boy from my village that I had to
kill.''
Military commanders do not care. All they want are bodies to help
fight wars.
Simply, this amendment, Mr. Chairman, and to the ranking member,
stands up against the countries like the ones that I have named. I
would simply hope that consideration would be given to a waiver of the
point of order. But as well, if we are able to talk about the
possibility of language going into the conference on this heinous act,
where we are losing thousands and thousands and thousands of valuable
lives that can contribute to the growth and development of their
respective countries.
Mr. Chairman, I rise to extend my strong support for this amendment
to the underlying bill. It would enhance our understanding of the
treatment of children being used as soldiers.
In short, this amendment would prohibit funding in the bill for
nations that conscript children under the age of 18 or use child
soldiers in armed conflict.
This is a small step that should be taken that this nation now sees
as a priority. It is important to place this prohibition within the
bill since our very body is on record as denouncing the inhumane
practice of using children as soldiers. In fact, just this May, this
Chamber passed a Foreign Relations Authorization Act that requires the
US State Department to compare information on what countries recruit,
conscript and use child soldiers.
Last year, the United States government signed two landmark Protocols
that address prostitution, the impact of pornography on children, and
the global practice of child labor. This resolution, in an entirely
complimentary way, applauds the decision by the U.S. government to
support the Protocol that condemns the use of children as soldiers by
government and nongovernment forces. Further, the House passed H. Con.
Res. 348, a resolution that condemns the use of children as soldiers.
And there is good reason why we did that. This is a common sense step
forward.
I realize that the funding or the drafting of the language of this
particular amendment is particularly direct and strong and harsh, for
it would eliminate all funding for those who conscript children. Let me
give the basis of this, as well as to say that my commitment to this is
so strong that I am hoping that my colleagues on the Committee on
Appropriations the Conference committee and those representing this
particular subcommittee will work with me as we move this bill toward
conference, ultimately at some point to be able to design disincentives
that might also do similarly the same job: to discourage, to stop, the
cease, to end the taking of our babies and putting them into war.
It is estimated that 300,000 children under the age of 18 are engaged
in armed military conflicts in more than 30 countries and are currently
fighting in armed conflicts. Sadly, far too many of these wonderful
children are forcibly conscripted through kidnapping or coercion and
others joined because of economic necessity, to avenge the loss of a
family member or for their own personal safety. There are so many
stories of children being abused in this way.
I want to share with you one story which illustrates the importance
of this amendment. One boy tried to escape from the rebels but he was
caught. ``His hands were tied and then they made us,'' the other new
captives, ``kill him with a stick. I felt sick. I knew this boy from
before. We were from the same village. I refused to kill him, and they
told me they would shoot me. They pointed a gun at me, so I had to do
it. The boy was asking me, `Why are you doing this?' I said, `I have no
choice.' After we killed him, they made us smear his blood on our
arms.'' They said we had to do this so we would not fear death, and so
we would not try to escape. I still dream about the boy from my village
who I killed. I see him in my dreams, and he is talking to me and
saying I killed him for nothing. And I am crying. We must not fund such
atrocities.
All we are doing is condemning them to a life of misery, if they are
not killed themselves in battle. Their minds are so warped with the
viciousness of what has happened that they are destroyed forever.
Military commanders often separate children from their families in
order to foster dependence on military units and leaders, leaving such
children vulnerable to manipulation. That is clearly unacceptable. I
believe it is very unfortunate that the military actually force child
soldiers to commit terrible acts of killings or torture against their
enemies, including against other children.
My amendment will simply make clear that nations will not receive
assistance if they conscript or use children as soldiers. It is
entirely consistent with our international obligations and will
effectuate such intent in a clear and straightforward manner.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word, while
continuing to reserve my point of order.
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentlewoman bringing this matter to
our attention. What she is talking about is truly one of the great
horrors that exists today in the world, and she has spoken very
eloquently about it as it occurs in many parts of the world, but most
especially in West Africa, where we have seen young children who have
been conscripted into the military and the kinds of horrible things
that have happened to these children who in no way should be involved
in conflict at all.
These are children who are being robbed of their childhood, being
robbed of their opportunity to grow up, and being put in as cannon
fodder into these conflicts of which they have little knowledge and
know even less about. So I think the gentlewoman is absolutely correct
in bringing this to our attention.
I would say that I think that the amendment that she has offered is
one that needs careful consideration by the authorizing committee,
which is where it ought to be considered. I say that because the
language is very, very broad when it talks about conscripting children
under the age of 18. In fact, I think still in this country it is
possible to enlist, not be conscripted, but enlist in the armed
services under the age of 18, so it is quite possible in some countries
that a year younger or 6 months younger might be perfectly acceptable.
It also says that it provides that no money shall be made available
to a country that provides for direct participation of children under
the age of 18 in any armed conflict.
While the outcome is what we would all like to seek, I think the
sanction that is here, which is no funds, not just no military funds,
but no funds, may be made available to any government of a country
where this occurs, could find us in a situation that I think would be
most inappropriate.
For that reason, although I would insist on my point of order, if
necessary, I would hope that the gentlewoman would withdraw her
amendment and bring this to the proper forum.
If the gentlewoman would like to respond?
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. KOLBE. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman and
appreciate the gentleman yielding.
One can see the depth of my passion by the description of the
amendment. What I would like to do, and I appreciate the gentleman's
invitation, I thank him for acknowledging how heinous these acts are,
and I would be
[[Page H4350]]
pleased if we could not only take this to the authorizing committee,
which I know is prospective and down the road, but have the possibility
of working with any more narrow language that might be able to be put
in the conference report that at least acknowledges the concerns as we
work toward this in the future.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentlewoman
for her comments.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, while continuing
to reserve my point of order.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of
words.
Mr. Chairman, I just want to congratulate the gentlewoman for
bringing this awful issue to our attention. I think that the more we
shed a spotlight on this, the more the world will respond. I am
particularly pleased with the allocations in this bill for development
assistance, for education in particular, which we increased
dramatically. If we can educate the population of countries where these
kinds of horrors exist, perhaps we will begin to address it more
seriously and eradicate this so these children can have a chance to
grow in a healthy environment.
We know that the work we have to do here to raise awareness is
enormous, and I appreciate the gentlewoman bringing this issue to our
colleagues' attention. I look forward to working with the chairman in
crafting some language and some action that would increase attention to
this issue. I thank the gentlewoman very much.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
Mrs. LOWEY. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, first of all, let me thank
the gentlewoman for her deep and passionate commitment and thank her
for acknowledging this.
I would just like to pose a question to both the ranking member and
to the chairman. I am appropriately made aware, if you will, of the
broadness, and obviously it is because of the deep passion that we all
share. I would be interested in narrowing the language to have
something referred in the report language, and I was wondering if that
could be done in the report language of this bill.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
Mrs. LOWEY. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I would just note for the gentlewoman from
Texas that, of course, the report is done. But if the gentlewoman is
talking about in the conference report itself, I could not make a
commitment at this time that we could do anything specifically.
But certainly the problem that the gentlewoman has brought to our
attention is one that clearly needs to be dealt with by the appropriate
committees, and I would be happy to work with the gentlewoman in any
way possible to make sure that is done.
I cannot make a specific commitment about what we can do in the
conference committee on this matter.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I believe we can commit
to addressing the issue and working with the gentlewoman to see if we
can appropriately find some language in the conference that could make
a difference. I want to thank the gentlewoman very much.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, if the gentlewoman will yield
further, if I could respond, I am an optimist. I thank the gentlewoman
for working with me.
Mr. Chairman, with the commitment of trying to work through this
issue, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is withdrawn.
There was no objection.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr.
Chairman, before we rise, let me just make a comment to the body, that
we will rise now and we will resume deliberations on this bill on
Tuesday, working under the unanimous consent agreement that we have. We
have a number of amendments, many of them that will require extensive
debate, and I would put all Members on notice that we expect to start
as early as possible, we do not have the schedule for next week yet,
but as early as possible on Tuesday, and that we would expect to go as
long as possible on Tuesday in order to finish this bill.
Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
Kolbe) having assumed the chair, Mr. Thornberry, Chairman of the
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2506)
making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and
related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for
other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.
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