[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT FOR THE ARMENIAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for 
the Armenian Technology Group's efforts to assist the development of 
rural private enterprise in the Caucasus and Central Asia regions of 
the former Soviet Union.
  Both as a farmer and as one of this body's Representatives from the 
world's most prolific agricultural regions, the San Joaquin Valley, I 
appreciate ATG's work around the world. Just last week, ATG announced 
the results of its seed multiplication efforts in Armenia. ATG did not 
merely double the production of wheat in Armenia--the organization was 
responsible for creating a net four hundred and thirty percent increase 
in wheat yield.
  This, Mr. Speaker, is one of the great success stories in America's 
foreign assistance history. It is why I am pushing for ATG to receive 
the resources necessary to replicate its work along the legendary Silk 
Road in Central Asia. The Central Asia region has not witnessed the 
type of market-driven successes that we had hoped for at the time of 
the dismantling of the Soviet Union. I am confident, however, that ATG 
can help these countries move on the path to economic and market reform 
and eventual prosperity.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite you and our colleagues in this distinguished 
House to learn more about ATG and the amazing work it has done. May the 
organization continue to be allowed to prosper in Armenia and 
elsewhere--it is truly one of America's treasures that we can share 
with the rest of the world.

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