[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5257-S5258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 297--COMMENDING THE INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION (IAF) 
      ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR ITS SIGNIFICANT 
     ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
                      DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAS

  Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. 
Kaine) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 297

       Whereas December 30, 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of 
     the establishment of the Inter-American Foundation (referred 
     to in this preamble as the ``IAF''), an independent Federal 
     agency in the United States that prioritizes sustainable, 
     community-led development across Latin America and the 
     Caribbean;
       Whereas the IAF was created under section 401 of the 
     Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 (22 U.S.C. 290f) ``to achieve 
     conditions in the Western Hemisphere under which the dignity 
     and the worth of each human person will be respected and 
     under which all men will be afforded the opportunity to 
     develop their potential, to seek through gainful and 
     productive work the fulfillment of their aspirations for a 
     better life, and to live in justice and peace'';
       Whereas the IAF invests in effective grassroots solutions 
     that promote prosperity and peace, and advance the growth of 
     democratic institutions;
       Whereas the unique development model of the IAF, applied 
     through more than 5,000 community-led grants, has empowered 
     millions of marginalized and underserved people in the 
     Americas to achieve dignified livelihoods, effective civil 
     engagement, and safer, more peaceful, and more just 
     communities;
       Whereas the IAF's model--
       (1) has demonstrated that making direct grants to 
     grassroots groups and civil society organizations in 
     underserved and vulnerable communities is cost-effective;
       (2) fosters self-reliance by requiring grantees to mobilize 
     local resources for their own projects and by connecting them 
     to networks of new partners;
       (3) leverages additional resources from private and 
     community partners; and
       (4) incentivizes broad civic engagement and local ownership 
     of community development;
       Whereas the IAF--by investing in grassroots approaches that 
     create businesses, jobs, and leadership opportunities in 
     communities--reinforces the commitment of individuals to 
     strengthening their own communities;
       Whereas investments made by the IAF have created an 
     extensive network of grassroots innovators and changemakers 
     who--
       (1) are positively disposed to the United States;
       (2) are better positioned to partner with other United 
     States Government agencies and other public and private 
     funders; and
       (3) have gone on to leadership roles at the local and 
     national levels;
       Whereas investments made by the IAF have improved the 
     quality of life and democracy in the Americas by 
     strengthening the capacity of individuals to participate in 
     civic life, engage constructively with their local officials, 
     and hold their governments accountable;
       Whereas, by listening and responding to the priorities of 
     communities and investing in projects that utilize and 
     validate local knowledge and expertise, the IAF has fostered 
     trust and goodwill with the people of Latin America and the 
     Caribbean; and
       Whereas the IAF's support of community-led efforts designed 
     to increase opportunities for development and the 
     strengthening of civil society and democratic governance has 
     advanced the national interests of the United States and 
     promoted democratic values across the Western Hemisphere: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the Inter-American Foundation on the occasion 
     of the 50th anniversary of its establishment for its 
     significant contributions to strengthening democracy, peace, 
     and economic and social development in Latin American and the 
     Caribbean;
       (2) recognizes that the bottom-up approach of the Inter-
     American Foundation empowers individuals in marginalized and 
     underserved communities to be leaders, entrepreneurs, 
     innovators, and changemakers in development processes;
       (3) recognizes that the Inter-American Foundation advances 
     the foreign policy of the United States Government and 
     contributes directly to the national interests of the United 
     States; and
       (4) commits to continue to support the vital work of the 
     Inter-American Foundation as an independent agency.

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