Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick: “the supplemental before us, and there has been much debate on it, really does not address the total problem that we…”

“the supplemental before us, and there has been much debate on it, really does not address the total problem that we have. As a member of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs, and we just heard the distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan), I want to thank him for his leadership in helping us to solve the problem in Zimbabwe; and my thanks to the full chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), for also supporting our efforts to address the crisis in Zimbabwe. As many of my colleagues know, South Africa, Zimbabwe, as well as the tragedy in Mozambique, is of insurmountable proportions. The country has been devastated. There is money in our foreign assistance accounts today to address that problem. This supplemental, though it did not accept the amendment I had for $60 million that would put $20 million in child survival, $20 million in development assistance, and $20 million in disaster relief to replenish the account so that Mozambique today can get the assistance they need, the dollars are there; and I urge the President to request the money today to address those problems. It is unfortunate that we have not moved yet on this tragedy. It has been over 3 weeks now. This has been in the media and some assistance has been sent. The helicopters, some food, and the personnel are on the ground in Mozambique. But over a million people are homeless today.”