[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY ACT OF 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2014

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
strong support of H.R. 5656, the Feed the Future Global Food Security 
Act of 2014, on the eve of passage of the Fiscal Year 2015 Omnibus that 
provides just over $1 billion to the Feed the Future Program. The 
passage of this bill would authorize this USAID program for one year at 
just under Fiscal Year 2014 level, bringing stability to this 
successful program while giving Congress future oversight.
   Feed the Future through its whole-of-government approach has been 
successful in promoting both agricultural-based and market-based 
development and in improving the nutrition of women and children. This 
creates healthy populations and gives livelihoods to these families, 
both of which grow these developing economies.
   The focus on food security and agriculture development of Feed the 
Future started during the Bush Administration and has continued through 
today.
   But, Mr. Speaker, today more than 800 million people around the 
world still suffer from chronic hunger. Many of the world's poor live 
in rural areas and rely on agriculture for a living, and growth in the 
agriculture sector is one of the best ways to spur the kind of economic 
growth that reduces poverty.
   In 2013 alone, Feed the Future reached more than 12.5 million 
children with nutrition interventions to help ensure a stronger and 
more successful future. It has helped nearly 7 million farmers and food 
producers use new technologies and management practices. And it has 
leveraged more than $10 billion through complementary efforts in 
private sector commitments in African agriculture--the majority from 
African businesses.
   With broad support from U.S. universities, NGOs, faith-based 
organizations, the private sector, and beneficiaries, Feed the Future 
authorization offers an opportunity for Congress to put its stamp on 
this program and ensure that we have the appropriate oversight measures 
in place.
   Passage of this legislation will demonstrate that we are serious 
about finding commonsense solutions to one of the world's greatest 
challenges--hunger--creating economic stability overseas that will 
benefit the American people as well.
   Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 5656, the Feed the Future 
Global Food Security Act of 2014.

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