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Breaking News from America's Progressive Community... Latest Releases
Making news? The press releases posted here have been provided to NewsCenter by the one of the many progressive organizations we have selected to participate . If you would like more information about this press release, you should contact the organization directly.
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| OCTOBER 21, 1998
10:56 AM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Bread for the World Michael Rubinstein or Margaret Lipton (301) 608-2400 |
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| Congress Passes Landmark Africa Legislation; The Senate and House Enact the Africa: Seeds of Hope Act | ||||
| WASHINGTON -
October 21 - In the waning hours of the 105th Congress, the U.S. Senate voted yesterday
morning to pass the Africa: Seeds of Hope Act. The U.S. House of Representatives passed
the Senate version late yesterday evening. "We're very excited about the passage of this legislation," said David Beckmann, Bread for the World president. "Africa: Seeds of Hope will refocus U.S. aid to Africa more effectively to fight hunger and poverty, and it will make a real difference in the lives of ordinary people in Africa." The bill directs the U.S. government to reprioritize U.S. aid to focus on small-scale African farmers and rural entrepreneurs, who represent the large majority of African people. "Agriculture is the backbone of the African economy," said Beckmann. "This legislation will help to transform Africa into a continent that can solve its own hunger problem." The success of the Africa: Seeds of Hope Act was due in large measure to the lead sponsors, Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-NE), Rep. Lee Hamilton (D-IN), Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD). Additionally, passage of the legislation was the culmination of a year-long effort by BFW's 44,000 members. Throughout the campaign, BFW members wrote tens of thousands of letters in support of the legislation, garnering 106 cosponsors for the House version, H.R. 4283, and 23 cosponsors for companion legislation in the Senate, S. 2283. Catholic Relief Services, the Association of International Agriculture and Rural Development, CARE and many other charitable organizations helped to assure its passage. Many Catholic and Protestant church organizations actively worked to support the legislation. More than 200 organizations endorsed the legislation. Eighteen newspapers, including the Dallas Morning News and the San Francisco Chronicle wrote editorials urging Congress to pass the Africa: Seeds of Hope Act. # # # Bread for the World is a 44,000 member Christian citizens' movement against hunger. Founded in 1974, Bread for the World's members lobby Congress and the administration to bring about public policy changes that address the root causes of hunger and poverty in the United States and overseas. Bread for the World is a non-partisan organization sponsored by 45 denominations and many theological perspectives. |
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