[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15881-15886]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   FAMINE PREVENTION AND FREEDOM FROM HUNGER IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000

  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4002) to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise 
and improve provisions relating to famine prevention and freedom from 
hunger, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4002

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Famine Prevention and 
     Freedom From Hunger Improvement Act of 2000''.

[[Page 15882]]



     SEC. 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

       (a) Declarations of Policy.--(1) The first sentence of 
     section 296(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
     U.S.C. 2220a(a)) is amended to read as follows: ``The 
     Congress declares that, in order to achieve the mutual goals 
     among nations of ensuring food security, human health, 
     agricultural growth, trade expansion, and the wise and 
     sustainable use of natural resources, the United States 
     should mobilize the capacities of the United States land-
     grant universities, other eligible universities, and public 
     and private partners of universities in the United States and 
     other countries, consistent with sections 103 and 103A of 
     this Act, for (1) global research on problems affecting food, 
     agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, (2) improved human 
     capacity and institutional resource development for the 
     global application of agricultural and related environmental 
     sciences, (3) agricultural development and trade research and 
     extension services in the United States and other countries 
     to support the entry of rural industries into world markets, 
     and (4) providing for the application of agricultural 
     sciences to solving food, health, nutrition, rural income, 
     and environmental problems, especially such problems in low-
     income, food deficit countries.''.
       (2) The second sentence of section 296(a) of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(a)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``in this country'' and 
     inserting ``with and through the private sector in this 
     country and to understanding processes of economic 
     development'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), to read as follows:
       ``(2) that land-grant and other universities in the United 
     States have demonstrated over many years their ability to 
     cooperate with international agencies, educational and 
     research institutions in other countries, the private sector, 
     and nongovernmental organizations worldwide, in expanding 
     global agricultural production, processing, business and 
     trade, to the benefit of the United States and other 
     countries;'';
       (C) in paragraph (3), to read as follows:
       ``(3) that, in a world of growing populations with rising 
     expectations, increased food production and improved 
     distribution, storage, and marketing in the developing 
     countries is necessary not only to prevent hunger and ensure 
     human health and child survival, but to build the basis for 
     economic growth and trade, and the social security in which 
     democracy and a market economy can thrive, and moreover, that 
     the greatest potential for increasing world food supplies and 
     incomes to purchase food are in the developing countries 
     where the gap between food need and food supply is the 
     greatest and current incomes are lowest;'';
       (D) in paragraph (4), to read as follows:
       ``(4) that the engagement of United States universities in 
     agricultural development in other countries strengthens the 
     competitiveness of United States agriculture and other 
     industries by training future foreign partners and by 
     introducing global perspectives into United States 
     curriculum, research, public information services, and other 
     extension programs of the universities;'';
       (E) by striking paragraphs (5) and (7), redesignating 
     paragraph (6) as paragraph (7), and inserting the following:
       ``(5) with expanding global markets and increasing imports 
     into many countries, including the United States, that food 
     safety and quality, as well as secure supply, have emerged as 
     mutual concerns of all countries;
       ``(6) that research, teaching, and extension activities, 
     and appropriate institutional and policy development 
     therefore are prime factors in improving agricultural 
     production, food distribution, processing, storage, and 
     marketing abroad (as well as in the United States);'';
       (F) in paragraph (7) (as redesignated), by striking ``in 
     the United States'' and inserting ``and the broader economy 
     of the United States''; and
       (G) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) that there is a need to preserve and protect the 
     world's natural resources for sustained productivity and 
     health and to take steps to mitigate adverse aspects of 
     climate change which confront agriculture and other natural 
     resource-based industries with new scientific, technological, 
     and management challenges; and
       ``(9) that universities and public and private partners of 
     universities need a dependable source of Federal funding not 
     requiring State matching funds, as well as Federal and State 
     matched funding, and other financing, in order to increase 
     the impact of their own investments and those of their State 
     governments and constituencies, in order to continue and 
     expand their effort to advance agricultural development in 
     cooperating countries, to translate development into economic 
     growth and trade for the United States and cooperating 
     countries, and to prepare future teachers, researchers, 
     extension specialists, entrepreneurs, managers, and 
     decisionmakers for the world economy.''.
       (b) Additional Declarations of Policy.--Section 296(b) of 
     the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(b)) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Accordingly, the Congress declares that, in order to 
     prevent famine and establish freedom from hunger, the 
     following components must be brought together in a 
     coordinated program to increase world food and fiber 
     production, agricultural trade, and responsible management of 
     natural resources, including--
       ``(1) continued efforts by the international agricultural 
     research centers and other international research entities to 
     provide a global network, including United States 
     universities, for international scientific collaboration on 
     crops, livestock, forests, fisheries, farming resources, and 
     food systems of worldwide importance;
       ``(2) contract research and the implementation of 
     collaborative research support programs and other research 
     collaboration led by United States universities, and 
     involving research systems in other countries focused on 
     crops, livestock, forests, fisheries, farming resources, and 
     food systems, with benefits to the United States and partner 
     countries;
       ``(3) transformation of the benefits of global agricultural 
     research and development into increased benefits for United 
     States agriculturally related industries through 
     establishment of development and trade information and 
     service centers, for rural as well as urban communities, 
     through extension, cooperatively with, and supportive of, 
     existing public and private trade and development related 
     organizations;
       ``(4) facilitation of participation by universities and 
     public and private partners of universities in programs of 
     multilateral banks and agencies which receive United States 
     funds by means which may include additional complementary 
     funds restricted to the use of United States universities and 
     public and private partners of universities;
       ``(5) expanding learning opportunities about global 
     agriculture for students, teachers, community leaders, 
     entrepreneurs, and the general public through international 
     internships and exchanges, graduate assistantships, faculty 
     positions, and other means of education and extension through 
     long-term recurring Federal funds matched by State funds; and
       ``(6) competitive grants through universities to United 
     States agriculturalists and public and private partners of 
     universities from other countries for research, institution 
     and policy development, extension, training, and other 
     programs for global agricultural development, trade, and 
     responsible management of natural resources.''.
       (c) Sense of the Congress.--Section 296(c) of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``each component'' and 
     inserting ``each of the program components described in 
     paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (b)'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by inserting ``and public and private partners of 
     universities'' after ``for the universities''; and
       (B) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by inserting ``and public and private partners of 
     universities'' after ``such universities'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``, and'' and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking the comma at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon;
       (D) by striking the matter following subparagraph (B); and
       (E) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) multilateral banks and agencies receiving United 
     States funds;
       ``(D) development agencies of other countries; and
       ``(E) United States Government foreign assistance and 
     economic cooperation programs; and''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) generally engage the United States university 
     community more extensively in the agricultural research, 
     trade, and development initiatives undertaken outside the 
     United States, with the objectives of strengthening its 
     capacity to carry out research, teaching, and extension 
     activities for solving problems in food production, 
     processing, marketing, and consumption in agriculturally 
     developing nations, and for transforming progress in global 
     agricultural research and development into economic growth, 
     trade, and trade benefits for United States communities and 
     industries, and for the provident use of natural resources; 
     and
       ``(5) ensure that all federally funded support to 
     universities and public and private partners of universities 
     relating to the goals of this title is periodically reviewed 
     for its performance.''.
       (d) Definition of Universities.--Section 296(d) of the 
     Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(d)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting after ``sea-grant colleges;'' the 
     following: ``Native American land-grant colleges as 
     authorized under the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status 
     Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note);''; and
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``extension'' and 
     inserting ``extension (including outreach)''.
       (e) Definition of Administrator.--Section 296(e) of the 
     Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a(e)) is 
     amended by inserting ``United States'' before ``Agency''.
       (f) Definition of Public and Private Partners of 
     Universities.--Section 296 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

[[Page 15883]]

       ``(f) As used in this title, the term `public and private 
     partners of universities' includes entities that have 
     cooperative or contractual agreements with universities, 
     which may include university beneficiary groups, other 
     education institutions, United States Government and State 
     agencies, private voluntary organizations, nongovernmental 
     organizations, firms operated for profit, nonprofit 
     organizations, multinational banks, and, as designated by the 
     Administrator, any organization, institution, or agency 
     incorporated in other countries.''.
       (g) Definition of Agriculture.--Section 296 of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:
       ``(g) As used in this title, the term `agriculture' 
     includes the science and practice of activity related to 
     food, feed, and fiber production, processing, marketing, 
     distribution, utilization, and trade, and also includes 
     family and consumer sciences, nutrition, food science and 
     engineering, agricultural economics and other social 
     sciences, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, aquaculture, 
     floraculture, veterinary medicine, and other environmental 
     and natural resources sciences.''.
       (h) Definition of Agriculturists.--Section 296 of the 
     Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220a) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) As used in this title, the term `agriculturists' 
     includes farmers, herders, and livestock producers, 
     individuals who fish and others employed in cultivating and 
     harvesting food resources from salt and fresh waters, 
     individuals who cultivate trees and shrubs and harvest 
     nontimber forest products, as well as the processors, 
     managers, teachers, extension specialists, researchers, 
     policymakers, and others who are engaged in the food, feed, 
     and fiber system and its relationships to natural 
     resources.''.

     SEC. 3. GENERAL AUTHORITY.

       (a) Authorization of Assistance.--Section 297(a) of the 
     Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220b(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), to read as follows:
       ``(1) to implement program components through United States 
     universities as authorized by paragraphs (2) through (5) of 
     this subsection;'';
       (2) in paragraph (3), to read as follows:
       ``(3) to provide long-term program support for United 
     States university global agricultural and related 
     environmental collaborative research and learning 
     opportunities for students, teachers, extension specialists, 
     researchers, and the general public;''; and
       (3) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) by inserting ``United States'' before ``universities'';
       (B) by inserting ``agricultural'' before ``research 
     centers''; and
       (C) by striking ``and the institutions of agriculturally 
     developing nations'' and inserting ``multilateral banks, the 
     institutions of agriculturally developing nations, and United 
     States and foreign nongovernmental organizations supporting 
     extension and other productivity-enhancing programs''.
       (b) Requirements.--Section 297(b) of the Foreign Assistance 
     Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220b(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``universities'' and inserting ``United States universities 
     with public and private partners of universities''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) by inserting ``, environment,'' before ``and related''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``farmers and farm families'' and 
     inserting ``agriculturalists'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, including resources 
     of the private sector,'' after ``Federal or State 
     resources''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and the United States 
     Department of Agriculture'' and all that follows and 
     inserting ``, the Department of Agriculture, State 
     agricultural agencies, the Department of Commerce, the 
     Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection 
     Agency, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, 
     the Food and Drug Administration, other appropriate Federal 
     agencies, and appropriate nongovernmental and business 
     organizations.''.
       (c) Further Requirements.--Section 297(c) of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220b(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), to read as follows:
       ``(2) focus primarily on the needs of agricultural 
     producers, rural families, processors, traders, consumers, 
     and conservators of natural resources;''; and
       (2) in paragraph (4), to read as follows:
       ``(4) be carried out within the developing countries and 
     transition countries comprising newly emerging democracies 
     and newly liberalized economies; and''.
       (d) Special Programs.--Section 297 of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220b) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) The Administrator shall establish and carry out 
     special programs under this title as part of ongoing programs 
     for child survival, democratization, development of free 
     enterprise, environmental and natural resource management, 
     and other related programs.''.

     SEC. 4. BOARD FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Establishment.--Section 298(a) of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220c(a)) is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ``authorized 
     by this title'' the following: ``and to provide United States 
     Government followup to the World Food Summit of November 
     1996''; and
       (2) in the third sentence, by inserting at the end before 
     the period the following: ``on a case-by-case basis''.
       (b) General Areas of Responsibility of the Board.--Section 
     298(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
     2220c(b)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) The Board's general areas of responsibility shall 
     include--
       ``(1) participating in the planning, development, and 
     implementation of, initiating recommendations for, and 
     monitoring, the activities described in section 297 of this 
     title; and
       ``(2) providing advice and assistance to the Inter-Agency 
     Working Group on Food Security (IWG) on carrying out 
     commitments made in the United States Country Paper for the 
     November 1996 World Food Summit and on the Plan of Action 
     agreed to at the Summit.''.
       (c) Duties of the Board.--Section 298(c) of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220c(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``increase food 
     production'' and all that follows and inserting the 
     following: ``improve agricultural production, trade, and 
     natural resource management in developing countries, and with 
     private organizations seeking to increase agricultural 
     production and trade, natural resources management, and 
     household food security in developing and transition 
     countries;''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before ``sciences'' 
     the following: ``, environmental, and related social'';
       (2) in paragraph (4), after ``Administrator and 
     universities'' insert ``and their partners'';
       (3) in paragraph (5), after ``universities'' insert ``and 
     public and private partners of universities'';
       (4) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (5) in paragraph (7), by striking ``in the developing 
     nations.'' and inserting ``and natural resource issues in the 
     developing nations, assuring efficiency in use of Federal 
     resources, including in accordance with the Governmental 
     Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62; 107 
     Stat. 285), and the amendments made by that Act;''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) providing advice to the United States Government on 
     the development of a long-term action plan in support of the 
     commitments made in the United States Country Paper and at 
     the 1996 World Food Summit, including--
       ``(A) participating in the implementation of the action 
     plan through meetings, workshops, and proper involvement; and
       ``(B) serving as an outreach vehicle to all nongovernmental 
     sectors to achieve maximum involvement in action plan 
     development and implementation;
       ``(9) developing information exchanges and consulting 
     regularly with nongovernmental organizations, consumer 
     groups, producers, agribusinesses and associations, 
     agricultural cooperatives and commodity groups, State 
     departments of agriculture, State agricultural research and 
     extension agencies, and academic institutions;
       ``(10) investigating and resolving issues concerning 
     implementation of this title as requested by universities; 
     and
       ``(11) advising the Administrator on any and all issues as 
     requested.''.
       (d) Subordinate Units.--Section 298(d) of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2220c(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``Research'' and insert ``Policy'';
       (B) by striking ``administration'' and inserting 
     ``design''; and
       (C) by striking ``section 297(a)(3) of this title'' and 
     inserting ``section 297''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``Joint Committee on Country Programs'' and 
     inserting ``Joint Operations Committee''; and
       (B) by striking ``which shall assist'' and all that follows 
     and inserting ``which shall assist in and advise on the 
     mechanisms and processes for implementation of activities 
     described in section 297.''.

     SEC. 5. ANNUAL REPORT.

       Section 300 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
     U.S.C. 2220e) is amended by striking ``April 1'' and 
     inserting ``September 1''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Sherman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).

[[Page 15884]]




                             General Leave

  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 4002.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nebraska?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 4002, the Famine 
Prevention and Freedom From Hunger Act of 2000, this Member wants to 
commend the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady) for taking 
the lead on this important issue and introducing this legislation.
  This measure updates the content of the agricultural development in 
Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act and expands the role of 
America's land grant universities in these efforts. It has certainly 
been a pleasure to work with the distinguished gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Brady) on this effort.
  Since the Foreign Assistance Act was enacted in 1961, the scope of 
U.S. food aid and agriculture assistance has expanded to include 
forestry, fisheries, family and consumer sciences, horticulture, 
agribusiness, agricultural processing, marketing, distribution, trade, 
food safety, nutrition, agricultural policy, environmental protection, 
food science and engineering, veterinary medicine, agriculture 
economics, other social sciences and other sciences and practices 
related to food, fiber, and feed.
  Indeed, H.R. 4002 updates current law and the U.S. foreign assistance 
policy to reflect these changes. This legislation also ensures the 
transformation of developments abroad into benefits to the United 
States. University research and extension services, especially those 
associated with America's land grant colleges and universities, such as 
my alma mater, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, along with their 
public and private partners, are supported to help transform 
agricultural progress abroad and into benefits to American communities 
and businesses through trade.
  The pending legislation also expands the definition of eligible 
universities to include those institutions engaged in agricultural 
teaching, research and outreach, as well as extension. This Member 
believes that this is an effective and responsible approach which 
utilizes America's land grant university expertise to help famine 
prevention and alleviate the suffering from hunger and malnutrition 
abroad.
  Madam Speaker, the Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger 
Prevention Act of 2000 for the first time creates a direct link between 
development abroad and the interests of rural communities here at home 
in the United States. That is why this legislation is so important.
  Again, this Member commends the hard work and leadership on this 
issue by the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady). Clearly, 
H.R. 4002 deserves our strong support and this Member urges its 
adoption by his colleagues.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. I want to 
thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis), the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady) for 
their hard work on this bill.
  American farmers and agricultural institutions have long been the 
backbone of our foreign aid programs. The productivity of our farms 
have helped feed starving people around the world, and it was American 
research and technology developed in our land grant universities which 
fueled the green revolution that have helped a famine-prone India 
become self-sufficient in food.
  Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act, the Famine Prevention and 
Freedom From Hunger Act, was enacted in 1975 to increase world food 
production and identify solutions to food and nutrition problems in 
developing countries. However, the agricultural sectors have 
experienced growth and innovation since that law was enacted. H.R. 4002 
addresses that problem by updating Title XII. These changes will result 
in better partnerships with the Agency for International Development, 
improved service to and assistance to poor countries, and greater trade 
and research benefits to the United States.
  Specifically, this bill broadens the scope of agricultural assistance 
to reflect a more modern industry and expands the ability of 
participants to be eligible to participate in Title XII programs so 
that the valuable resources of our universities will be better 
utilized. This bill also encourages NGOs, that is to say 
nongovernmental organizations, to work with universities.
  The legislation will also help our agriculture here in the United 
States. Title XII as currently written is designed to focus on 
agricultural research. H.R. 4002 is designed to enhance extension and 
other outreach activities of Title XII and help bring lessons learned 
through those agricultural programs in developing countries to farms 
here in the United States.
  Finally, the bill helps American farmers and others of the 
agricultural community to increase their markets. Developing countries 
are the fastest growing markets for U.S. farm products and helping 
strengthen agriculture in developing countries will ultimately benefit 
U.S. farmers.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4002.
  Madam Speaker, at this point I include in the Record the remarks of 
the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this Bill.
  The Famine Prevention and Freedom from Hunger Act updates and expands 
current American policies as they relate to the elimination of global 
hunger.
  This is vital legislation.
  One very important aspect of this Bill is that it not only makes low-
income, food deficit, foreign countries beneficiaries of this program, 
but it also makes rural and urban communities in the United States 
beneficiaries.
  In this era of global economies, nations are becoming more 
interconnected and interdependent on one another.
  It is critical, therefore, that the economies of developing nations 
are not left behind.
  It is critical that these nations have stable and efficient 
economies.
  It is vitally important, therefore, that we assist in integrating 
Africa into the global economy.
  Boosting economic development and self-sufficiency for Africa are 
keys so achieving this end.
  It is for these reasons and others that I was pleased to vote for the 
Africa Trade and Development Act of 2000.
  Generally, we only hear about Africa when issues of hunger, warfare, 
or natural disaster emerge.
  And, it is true, that hunger estimates in Africa range in upwards of 
215 million chronically undernourished persons.
  And, yes, we need to be concerned and provide as much assistance as 
possible.
  However, there is an old cliche that says, ``Give a man a fish, and 
he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat forever!''
  At no other time is this cliche more appropriate for African 
countries.
  As a nation, we have the resources, the capacity, and the capability 
to ``teach'' the tools needed to ensure that their economies grow in 
strength and prosperity.
  One of the tools we can teach involves agribusiness.
  Agriculture is a primary sector in the economies of many African 
nations.
  It is here that we can provide the tools necessary to technologically 
upgrade agricultural methods and processes.
  I have introduced legislation, ``Farmers for Africa Act of 2000,'' 
which provides these tools.
  Farmers from the United States can help!
  Our farmers have the tools and skills to help.
  They have the ability to train African farmers to use and adopt 
state-of-the-art farming techniques and agribusiness skills.
  In African countries like Mozambique, farmers need our help.
  Ravaging flood waters left the lands devastated and thousands 
homeless and hungry.
  Their farmers need help.
  Our farmers can help--We ought to help.
  Farmers in Zimbabwe need our help.
  In that country, thousands of presons have received parcels of land 
to farm, but do not

[[Page 15885]]

have the agricultural skills or training to be successful.
  These farmers too need our help!
  Our farmers can help.
  We ought to help!
  In Ghana, one of the more stable and productive countries in Africa, 
farmers there too need our help!
  American farmers, through their efficiency in using the most modern 
and technologically sound agricultural and agribusiness techniques, can 
help African farmers.
  This will not only help boost African crop yields and efficiency to 
that these nations can produce enough goods to feed themselves, but 
will also improve the competitiveness of African farmers in the world 
market.
  In addition, through the establishment of partnerships between 
African and American farmers, we can also create new avenues for 
delivering goods and services to African countries in need.
  The legislation I introduced is designed to establish a bilateral 
exchange program between Africa and America--one that benefits both 
continents.
  The bill before us, H.R. 4002 also redefines and updates the roles of 
American universities who can share information about new farming 
techniques with similar institutions in other countries.
  I urge my colleagues to support this Bill.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady). As I earlier indicated, this 
legislation is primarily the work of the distinguished gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Brady). He is an outstanding newer Member of the House 
Committee on International Relations. I would say that I visited the 
campus of his alma mater this Saturday. They are proud of him, and with 
this legislation they are going to be even more indebted to him and 
appreciate his outstanding work.
  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
4002, the Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger Improvement Act of 
2000. Before I talk about the legislation, I want to thank the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for his leadership in this 
effort. I want to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis) for 
agreeing to be the lead Democrat on this bill and make this truly a 
bipartisan effort. I also appreciate and commend the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), 
their staffs working so well together to ensure this bipartisan 
legislation could be considered today.
  Finally, most importantly, I want to thank one of my constituents, 
Dr. Ed Price from Texas A&M University, who came to me with the 
framework for this legislation after working on behalf of the Board of 
International Food and Agriculture Development, and the National 
Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. Without the 
help of Dr. Price and Texas A&M University, it is unlikely we would be 
considering this legislation today.
  Briefly, Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act, which is known as 
the Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger Act, was enacted in 1975 
to increase world food production and to identify solutions to food and 
nutrition problems in developing countries. According to USAID, the 
goal to increase world food production has been met. That is the good 
news. Unfortunately, USAID believes that we have not been as successful 
at solving the other goal, food and nutrition problems, in developing 
countries, poorer countries.
  Specifically, under H.R. 4002, we address that problem. We broaden 
the scope of agriculture to reflect a more modern industry, and we 
expand the ability of participants to be eligible to participate in 
Title XII programs so that the valuable resources of our universities 
will be better utilized. We also encourage nongovernmental 
organizations to work with universities; and these changes, we believe, 
will result in better partnerships with the Agency for International 
Development, improved service to the assisted countries, and greater 
trade and research benefits to us here in America.
  This legislation will also help America's agriculture. As Title XII 
is currently written, we focus on ag research, but this modernization 
is designed to make extension a more implicit part of Title XII. This 
will help bring the lessons we learn overseas to our farms, which is 
important because developing nation markets are the fastest growing 
markets for U.S. farm products and anything we can do to help speed 
along their development will help our farmers.
  Improved agriculture is necessary to meet the objectives of U.S. 
foreign assistance, such as improved human health, child survival, 
democratization, and free enterprise. Furthermore, improving foods for 
health, flavor and productivity require the assistance of international 
programs such as those sponsored under Title XII.
  Madam Speaker, as the ag industry and our Nation's international 
development efforts have changed over the past 25 years, the time has 
come to update this important section to again emphasize the vital role 
U.S. universities and others can have in our country's international ag 
development efforts. With over 800 million people worldwide still 
suffering from inadequate food supplies and associated malnutrition, 
this update is needed.
  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman 
from Texas, Mr. Brady, for his leadership and hard work on this 
important legislation. I, myself, am a strong co-sponsor of this 
legislation.
  H.R. 4002, the Famine Prevention and Freedom from Hunger Improvement 
Act is long overdue. This bill would update Title XII of the Foreign 
Assistance Act of 1961, a title which is vitally important to our 
universities.
  Title XII was enacted in 1975 with the goal of increasing world food 
production and identifying solutions to food and nutrition problems in 
developing countries. Although the goal to increase world food 
production has been met, we all know that food and nutrition problems 
continue to plague much of the developing world.
  Since Title XII was enacted, both our agriculture industry and 
international development efforts have significantly changed. This bill 
addresses those changes by updating the language under Title XII to 
reflect a more modern industry and expands the ability of participants 
to be eligible to participate in Title XII programs, so that the 
valuable resources of our universities will be better utilized.
  Specifically, by expanding the number of eligible participants in 
Title XII programs, our universities will be able to increase their 
number of partnerships and play a more significant role in our 
international agriculture efforts.
  Madam Speaker, I would also like to mention that improved 
agricultural production is essential if the U.S. is to continue 
fostering democratization around the world, which is one of many 
important objectives of U.S. foreign assistance. I believe H.R. 4002 
addresses this issue.
  H.R. 4002 is a win-win for everyone. Internationally, these changes 
will result in better partnerships with the Agency for International 
Development (AID), which will improve service to developing countries. 
Domestically, our country will reap greater trade and research 
benefits. Moreover, lessons learned through agricultural programs in 
developing countries will benefit our own agriculture industry.
  Madam Speaker, I look forward to seeing this bill become law. I urge 
my colleagues to support H.R. 4002.
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4002, a bill 
introduced by Mr. Brady, the gentleman from Texas, and co-sponsored by 
Mr. Bereuter and Mr. Davis, all members of the Committee on 
International Relations. H.R. 4002 seeks to amend the Foreign 
Assistance Act of 1961, to authorize the President to establish 
programs in title XII of the act to encourage the formation of 
partnerships between land grant universities and non-governmental to 
promote sustainable agricultural development projects in the world's 
poorest and neediest countries.
  Madam Speaker, although significant strides have been made to 
increase world food production in recent years, it is clear that more 
needs to be done to modernize agricultural practices in the developing 
world and to ensure that sound environmental and conservation practices 
are applied in rural areas of the world's poorest countries.
  As is the case in other development fields, it is sound policy to 
encourage the formation of partnerships among the public, private, and 
academic sectors. In the agricultural arena this makes particularly 
good sense as American technology produces the world's greatest grain 
yields and can, with the provision of state-of-the-art technical 
assistance, be applied in developing countries. Moreover, as an added 
bonus, the lessons learned from these experiences and projects can be 
brought back home

[[Page 15886]]

and applied to strengthen our own country's agricultural production.
  I commend the sponsors of H.R. 4002 for their efforts to encourage 
the formation of partnerships between the land-grant university 
community and non-governmental organizations engaged in agricultural 
extension work in developing countries and urge my colleagues to 
support this bill.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I urge support of the bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4002, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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