[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN SUPPORT OF FOOD FOR PEACE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 18, 2011

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Food for 
Peace. Over the past 50 years, this essential program has fought hunger 
and offered hope for some 3 billion people in 150 countries. For less 
than .05% of our total federal budget, Food for Peace is able to 
provide emergency food relief, combat famine and starvation, and 
promote much-needed stability in the most poverty-stricken corners of 
the world. Without question, food security is global security. 
Struggles to gain access to food can easily erupt in violence, 
instability, and health epidemics. Food for Peace's small financial 
investment in hunger security yields tremendous returns in the form of 
increased stability in fragile areas, reduced dependence on foreign 
aid, and increased goodwill towards America.
  As the Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Appropriations 
Subcommittee, I know that Food for Peace is far more than just a 
helping hand. This program works with communities to promote 
agricultural development and access to local markets so that food 
recipients can transform into food producers. Rather than create 
enduring reliance on U.S. aid, Food for Peace strengthens communities 
to provide for themselves. In this tight fiscal climate, what better 
return on our investment could we ask for than decreased dependence on 
foreign assistance and increased stability in conflict-prone states?
  Yet, my colleagues have made dangerous cuts to this critical 
capacity-building program. These cuts, which amount to marginal cost-
savings, would eliminate support to millions of the world's poorest and 
hungriest at a time when food prices are rising across the globe. 
Rather than providing smart investments to uplift these communities, we 
are ripping away resources and sinking them deeper into an unbreakable 
cycle of poverty and instability. As our country faces increasing 
international scrutiny, this is not the face of America that we need to 
be showing the world.
  On behalf of the billions who have been lifted up by Food for Peace 
and the millions for whom it currently gives hope, I strongly oppose my 
colleagues' misguided efforts to save a few dollars. America is better 
than this, and I will never stop fighting to promote our national 
security through smart international assistance.

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