Tony Hall: “my amendment makes a slight technical change to the Food for Peace, P.L. 480 Program. This is one of our primary food…”

“my amendment makes a slight technical change to the Food for Peace, P.L. 480 Program. This is one of our primary food aid programs, along with section 416(b) and Food for Progress. These vital programs allow the bounty our farmers produce to go to feed the least among us. America is great because America is good, and this is the best America has to offer the world. This modified amendment further defines the poor countries that would be able to receive U.S. commodities and the transportation costs to get them to the hungry. It is supported by the World Food Program and private aid organizations. I am pleased that the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Combest) supports this amendment. I thank the gentleman and his staff, especially Lynn Gallagher, for all of their assistance. I also appreciate the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) and his concern for our food aid program. This amendment is a very small step towards my larger hope that the United States would increase our food aid for the poorest nations of the world. While we donate more food than any other country, to whom much is given, much is expected. In reality, we provide only one-half of one percent of our budget for humanitarian aid, and this should be much higher. I spoke earlier of the good will our food aid buys around the world. My travels to poor countries around the world have convinced me that our enemies and allies respect us because of our compassion and our generosity.”