[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 87 (Thursday, June 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2010 AND 2011

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                               speech of

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration of the bill (H.R. 2410) to 
     authorize appropriations for the Department of State and the 
     Peace Corps for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, to modernize the 
     Foreign Service, and for other purposes.

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2410, 
the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, and commend Chairman Berman 
for his leadership on this bill. Diplomacy and international 
development are cornerstones of U.S. national security, and H.R. 2410 
will ensure that these key strategic tools are maximized in our efforts 
to protect America and rebuild our standing in the world.
  H.R. 2410 provides robust authorization for rebuilding civilian 
capacity by authorizing 1,500 new Foreign Service Officers for the 
State Department and promotes training to ensure our diplomats have the 
skills to confront twenty-first century challenges. Additionally, the 
bill authorizes 700 new Foreign Service Officers for USAID, an 
important step to rebuild the capacity of our development agency to 
provide appropriate, effective aid to countries and communities in need 
around the world.
  Improving the livelihoods of vulnerable and oppressed women around 
the world should be a key component of U.S. foreign policy, and I 
applaud the inclusion of the authorization of the ``Office of Women's 
Issues'' in the base bill. Irrefutable research has shown that 
incorporating the unique needs of women into development policy is 
integral to ensure our aid initiatives' effectiveness; by coordinating 
and advising on gender integration and international women's 
empowerment, this office will help to increase the efficiency of our 
foreign assistance. As evidenced by its opposition to this office's 
authorization, the extreme anti-choice wing of the Republican party 
continues to put ideology over fact and science. Let me be clear: this 
bill in no way changes existing statutory prohibitions on abortion. A 
vote against this bill inhibits our government's ability to advance 
women's empowerment initiatives aimed at stability, security, and 
equality around the world.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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