[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H2212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            HUNGER FAST 2011

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the efforts of our 
former colleague, Tony Hall; Reverend David Beckman; Reverend Jim 
Wallis; Mark Bittman; and more than 6,000 people across the country as 
they take part in a hunger fast to protest the draconian cuts to 
programs that affect the hungry and the most vulnerable in America and 
around the world.
  The Republican plan, H.R. 1, would decimate what is now being called 
the Circle of Protection--the programs that protect the hungry and the 
most vulnerable here at home and around the world. I urge my colleagues 
to show that America doesn't turn its back on people in need, to have a 
heart, and to resist cutting these lifesaving programs. Please go to 
www.hungerfast
.org for more information.

   Protecting Programs for Low-Income People: A Circle of Protection


                                DOMESTIC

       Food assistance.
       SNAP, the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
     (formerly food stamps), helps more than 43 million Americans 
     put food on the table every month.
       The National School Lunch Program serves 20.4 million low-
     income children.
       The School Breakfast Program serves 9.7 million low-income 
     children.
       Tax credits and income support.
       In 2009, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) lifted an 
     estimated 6.6 million people out of poverty, including about 
     3.3 million children.
       In 2009, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) lifted an estimated 2.3 
     million people out of poverty, including about 1.3 million 
     children.
       In the 2007 tax year (the most recent year for which we 
     have data), nearly 25 million working families and 
     individuals received the EITC.
       Low-income child care and early education.
       Low-income health care.
       Low-income education and training.
       Preventing child maltreatment.


                             INTERNATIONAL

       International food assistance and emergency response.
       More than 30 million people receive assistance from USAID's 
     Food for Peace program (P.L. 480 Title II).
       The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and 
     Child Nutrition Program serves 5 million of the world's 
     poorest children.
       Sustainable international development.
       42 million African children went to school for the first 
     time between 1999 and 2007, thanks in part to debt relief and 
     development assistance for education.
       Global health.
       International poverty-focused financial services.
       International refugee assistance and post-conflict support.

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