[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 78 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1031-E1032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 2, 2011

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 372, I was absent due to 
unforeseen circumstances. Had I been present, I would have voted``no.''
  Rollcall No. 372 was a vote on the Cravaack of Minnesota Amendment 
No. 152 to H.R. 1540, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2012. This amendment will completely eliminate the United States 
Institute of Peace (USIP). While I believe spending cuts within our 
defense budget are necessary, I also believe that those cuts must be 
smart and targeted.
  The United States Institute of Peace--created by Congress and signed 
into law by President Ronald Reagan--is the only independent U.S. 
government actor that is dedicated solely to conflict prevention and 
resolution. USIP produces timely expert analysis on issues critical to 
policymakers and conflict prevention practitioners. In early February 
2011, USIP published a ``PEACE Report'' on the political stalemate in 
Cote d'Ivoire following the November 28, 2010 election and the broader 
issue of preventing electoral violence in Africa. The elimination of 
USIP will have strong, adverse impact on America's security interests. 
USIP is an important national security actor. The U.S. government must 
have options for resolving international conflict other than military 
action.
  USIP is the critical bridge between governmental and non-governmental 
actors to promote peace in volatile conflicts. USIP's Center for 
Mediation and Conflict Resolution conducts work in a number of critical 
conflict zones in Africa, Middle East, and across the globe. In the 
Arab-Israeli conflict, USIP is addressing a series of challenges and 
opportunities facing the parties. USIP has been focusing on the 
capacity of the Israeli and Palestinian publics to build consensus and 
support for a negotiated agreement, and the role of U.S. policymakers 
in encouraging and supporting these efforts toward a peaceful 
resolution.
  USIP is also dealing with several issues in Nigeria, a country rife 
with conflicts over petroleum resources and religion. Amidst this 
situation, USIP is working on peace efforts for the Niger Delta region, 
including working collaboratively with local governments, oil 
companies, and Nigerian NGOs.
  For nearly two decades, the USIP has been working in Sudan on peace 
processes. Its knowledge and expertise has helped shape

[[Page E1032]]

the environment that has contributed, so far, to a relatively peaceful 
outcome of the referendum. USIP's work on prevention, power-sharing, 
constitutional reform and natural resources has made a critical 
difference in the country's local capacity.
  In addition, USIP has been able to contribute to the successful 
mitigation of violence in Kenya, due to its longstanding relationships 
with influential and highly skilled civil society activists and its 
reputation as an independent and unbiased party. USIP has the ability 
to act fast, responding, for example, to the unforeseen electoral 
violence crisis in 2007 with targeted assistance to a local group in 
time to make a difference. USIP is now working toward contributing to a 
peaceful election in 2012.
  USIP is a small, agile center of innovation in support of America's 
national security interests in supporting peace and democracy in Africa 
and across the globe. USIP has been a very useful resource to 
policymakers for decades. Therefore, eliminating this critical 
institution abolishes a cost-effective alternative to military forces.

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