[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




OPPOSITION TO McCLINTOCK AMENDMENT #287, TO ELIMINATE FUNDING TO INTER 
                       AMERICAN FOUNDATION (IAF)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 18, 2011

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition to 
amendment #287, introduced by our colleague Rep. McClintock of 
California. Amendment #287 would eliminate all funding for the Inter 
American Foundation in the proposed FY2011 Continuing Resolution. This 
devastating cut would have severe immediate and long term impacts on 
the most vulnerable communities who share the same hemisphere as the 
United States.
  The United States has a vested interest in assuring that the poorest 
communities have the resources to organize, develop, and advance. The 
IAF works to promote economic opportunity, reduce poverty and foster 
civic and social inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean, 
consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.
  Without such proactive measures in international economic opportunity 
and development, the United States would cripple its own internal 
interest in the areas of drug trafficking, immigration, and maintaining 
its role as a promoter of democracy globally. There are many adverse 
consequences if programs like IAF ceases to exist. Studies show that 
farmers and agricultural workers of poverty-stricken communities 
migrate far from their families to make a living, and in many Latin 
American countries, like Colombia, this often means driving small 
farmers into illicit coca cultivation. Cutting IAF funds will aid in 
forcing men and women into the dangerous, yet lucrative work of 
narcotics production just to provide basic needs for their families.
  There is a myth that foreign assistance using public funds is 
ineffective and inefficient. That is farther from the truth. IAF is a 
conduit to creating future allies; future business partners, and future 
collaborators. Investing in self-help solutions which enable the poor 
to help themselves ultimately creates an intimate bond between nations. 
As our world becomes more competitive in everything from education to 
science to defense, we must not cut ourselves off from future 
relationships by cutting developing countries off from aid today.
  One of the many countries that would be affected by this cut is 
Haiti. Haiti is a nation that suffered one of the greatest devastations 
in history, with a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that killed over 200,000 
people, affected over 2 million Haitians, and destroyed their capitol, 
Port au Prince. While much aid has gone towards immediate disaster 
relief, the United States seeks to gain enormously by supporting 
sustainable solutions that IAF currently helps fund.
  IAF provides grants for the Haitian Partners for Christian 
Development--an organization that continues its services as a business 
incubator, which includes reaching women entrepreneurs and supporting 
them with business endeavors. Such seed money literally produces 
economic leaders which are necessary to shape the Haiti of tomorrow.
  Through a single grant, IAF also has a project which provides farmers 
displaced by the 2010 earthquake with agricultural training and 
technical assistance, as well as give education scholarships to 100 
displaced children, and distributes food to another 150 quake victims.
  With all the tremors the people of Haiti still are enduring, IAF is 
essential to ensuring these survivors do not experience a social 
aftershock due to cutting funding that ultimately has long-term 
benefits for both Haiti and the United States.
  Being the leaders in international economic empowerment today is a 
wise investment for tomorrow.
  I urge you to join me in opposing this amendment.

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