Gregory Meeks: “there is a saying in the church that I go to ``to whom much is given, much is required.'' This is supposed to be the…”

“there is a saying in the church that I go to ``to whom much is given, much is required.'' This is supposed to be the greatest Nation, the most affluent Nation on the face of the planet Earth, in the history of the planet Earth. Yet, why is it when it comes to us delivering to those who need the most, we find excuses not to do it. When I heard the distinguished chair, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan) talking in his opening statements, I heard excuses of why we could not help those who need help. People in this House have traveled to Africa, and when they go to Africa they say, oh, what a shame, how bad it is, oh, this is pitiful. Yet when it comes time when we can do something about it, and foreign operations is that time, we find excuses not to do anything about it. It is time that we stop making excuses, put our money where our mouths are and do the right thing and give the money where it is needed and that is in the continent of Africa.”