Congressional Letter on Africa Aid 05/17/95

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER

Four members of the House of Representatives have taken the initiative to ask their colleagues to sign a letter in support of aid to Africa, to be sent to the chairpersons of the relevant committees that are considering the budget this month and in June.

The four are Amo Houghton (R-NY), Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Doug Bereuter (R-NE), and Donald Payne (D-NJ). Other members of Congress have recently received an invitation to become co- signers. In communicating with your member of Congress concerning aid to Africa, one concrete measure you can urge on them is to sign on to this letter by contacting the offices of Rep. Houghton or Rep. Ackerman.

The draft text of the letter as sent out by the four members is as follows.

"Dear Chairman:

In this time of diminishing resources, the American people
are demanding improved fiscal responsibility and sound
spending choices that are consistent with American
principles.  We are, therefore, concerned that current
proposals to cut foreign aid, especially development
assistance to Africa, misrepresent the will of the American
people.

One sound spending choice would be to maintain the
Development Fund for Africa as a separate account at a
funding level sufficient to foster sustainable development. 
Disproportionate or severe cuts will undermine this purpose.

As you know, Africa is a continent in crisis -- conflict,
famine, environmental degradation and debt burdens beset
many nations.  These crises too often overshadow the nations
on the continent where progress toward democracy and
economic growth have greatly improved the context for and
impact of U.S. assistance.  But Africa is also facing
opportunity.  Now is not the time to pull back.  Now is the
time to shift emphasis, promote self-help development,
peaceful resolution of conflicts and debt reduction.

The Development Fund for Africa and the African Development
Foundation have contributed to Africa's gains in health
care, educational opportunities and small business
development.  As a result, in our minds, it is in the U.S.
national interest to assist African nations.  Africa is the
last great development frontier, a potentially significant
partner in world trade.  Investments in Africa's people --
to help them meet their basic needs, increase their incomes,
develop their infrastructure, participate in decisions and
resolve conflicts -- are essential to creating an
environment for the fair trade and investment opportunities
that will lead to sustained economic and social progress.

U.S. assistance can also help address war and debt, two
major obstacles to development in Africa.  By providing
resources to African organizations engaged in mediating
conflicts, the U.S. can support African solutions to African
problems.  And by forgiving some of the debt owed to the
U.S., we can help African nations devote more resources to
education and health care and create a better environment
for economic growth.

Maintaining effective aid programs for Africa with a level
adequate to meet both the needs and the opportunities is in
our national interest.  We therefore asks that these
programs not be signaled out to carry a severe or
disproportionate share of the program cutbacks needed to
meet the commitment to reducing the federal budget.

Sincerely,

In order to reach your Member of Congress to urge that he or she sign this letter, you may call the Capitol Switchboard at: (202) 224-3121.

For additional information:
Washington Office on Africa
110 Maryland Ave. NE, #112
Washington, DC 20002.
Phone: 202-546-7961.
Fax: 202-546-1545.
Email: woa@igc.apc.org.

Message-Id: [199505172357.QAA16322@igc3.igc.apc.org]
From: "Washington Office on Africa" [woa@igc.apc.org]
Date: Wed, 17 May 1995 19:56:27 +0000
Subject: Congressional Letter on Africa Aid 05/17/95

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar

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