[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12524]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY ACT of 2013

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Minnesota (Ms. McCollum) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, in the world's poorest countries, nearly 1 
billion people struggle with hunger every day. Chronic food insecurity 
limits a child's ability to grow and to learn.
  Across Africa and Asia, hardworking farmers need help producing 
enough food to feed their families throughout the year. Many of these 
farmers are women. In fact, it is estimated 80 percent of the 
agricultural workers are women.
  Earlier this year, I traveled to Tanzania and South Sudan where women 
farmers told me that they needed access to better seeds, tools, and 
training. With assistance from the United States and with our support, 
they can grow enough food to feed their families and have extra to sell 
as produce.
  Last week, I introduced the Global Food Security Act, along with 
Representatives Aaron Schock and Jim McGovern. This bill directs the 
President to develop a strategy to improve global nutrition, food 
security, and agricultural development. More than 35 NGOs and faith-
based groups also support this bill.
  This bill will improve food security for millions around the world, 
which is the right thing to do, but it will also make America more 
secure and protect our own national interest.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Global Food Security Act.

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