Donald M. Payne: “Mr. Chairman, I rise to request that the important Development Assistance Fund, which is a fund that much of the…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise to request that the important Development Assistance Fund, which is a fund that much of the appropriations for development assistance around the world is a very important instrument for development in Africa. The House has taken a step backwards by eliminating the earmark for the Development Fund for Africa which was in legislation up until 1994. But we are not asking for the earmark to be replaced since it was removed. But we are asking that $220 million be added into the Development Assistance Fund, which would fall under the Development Assistance Fund for Africa, the DFA, although we are not asking for the earmark. Now, what I am saying is simply that, during the 1990s, 1993 and 1994, when the development from the DFA was designated, we actually appropriated $850 million in 1994, $804 million in 1993. So we had a continued increase in the Development Fund for Africa. The 1998 level was $700 million. In 1999, it was approximately $700 million. This year, it has dropped to approximately $500 million. So we are asking that $220 million be allocated within the Development Assistance to be earmarked for Africa.”