[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2013-E2014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN TRIBUTE TO THE GREATER MILWAUKEE CHAPTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS 
         ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO COMBAT GLOBAL POVERTY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud an 
alliance of dedicated residents of the Fourth Congressional District 
for their passionate pursuit of peace and justice. On October 8, 
members of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the United Nations 
Association, together with an array of partner organizations, will host 
a Call to Action and Celebration of the Global Campaign to Make Poverty 
History.
  This effort is extremely timely. Poverty has a devastating effect on 
the lives of those in developing countries, and creates structural 
problems for the global economy that ultimately harm our own economic 
well-being. The U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals call for progress 
in eight key sectors, including education, healthcare, environmental 
sustainability and gender equity. Taken together, these goals comprise 
a comprehensive strategy for reducing poverty and hunger.
  In reality, addressing global poverty requires us to confront the 
impact of debt on developing countries' ability to invest in the 
infrastructure and social services needed to improve the quality of 
their citizens' lives. The weight of the international debt that many 
developing countries carry poses an enormous obstacle to real progress 
toward eradicating poverty. Debt payments to international creditors 
inhibit many countries' efforts to recover from natural disasters, or 
establish healthcare, education and clean water programs. Impoverished 
countries in Africa pay on average $14 per person in debt service 
payments to international financial institutions, but spend only $5 per 
person on healthcare.
  In recognition of this fact, I cosponsored the JUBILEE Act, which 
directs the Secretary of

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the Treasury to immediately begin working with the World Bank, the 
International Monetary Fund, and the G8 to cancel the debts owed by the 
world's 50 most impoverished nations.
  I want to thank my constituents for their participation in this 
effort. I am proud of my community's commitment to pursue justice, 
dignity, and economic self-sufficiency for all of the world's citizens. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in championing this global initiative 
that will help secure a better, more prosperous and peaceful world for 
generations to come.

                          ____________________