[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 172 (Thursday, December 5, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H7559-H7560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WATER FOR THE WORLD: TURN ON THE FAUCET

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when you and I are thirsty, we walk 3 
feet to the nearest faucet or grab a bottle of water out of the fridge; 
but that isn't so for thousands of people living around the world.
  Each morning in Africa, women and young girls, like this girl in 
Tanzania, wake up and walk for miles just to collect water for their 
family. The walk can be dangerous because some wells

[[Page H7560]]

are controlled by violent thugs. These thugs often assault women and 
children in exchange for water. Often this water is dirty and leads to 
sickness and disease.
  This is unimaginable for many Americans, but a reality for 780 
million people on Earth who do not have access to clean water. We can 
fix this. That is why Congressman Earl Blumenauer and I have introduced 
the Water for the World Act. This bill uses existing taxpayer money to 
more effectively make clean water available to those who need it, such 
as digging wells in villages in Africa. According to the World Bank, 
for every dollar spent, at least $4 is returned in saved health care 
costs and increased economic productivity.
  We have it in our power to help people have clean water. It is 
something America can and should do. No one should be assaulted when 
they try to get water. It is 2013. It is time to turn on the faucet and 
make water universal for little girls like this.
  And that's just the way it is.

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