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From: Marco Caceres
Category: Other
Date: 2/8/99
Time: 11:25:49 AM
Remote Name: 38.181.64.6
S. 371, "The Central American and Caribbean Relief Act of 1999"
On February 4, 1999, Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) introduced his bill to provide assistance to the countries hurt by Hurricanes Mitch and Georges in Central America and the Caribbean. The bill was assigned the number "S. 371" by the Clerk of the Senate and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
The good news is that the bill has now been formally introduced and referred to committee. The bad news is that S. 371 is the 117th item on the committee's calendar of business. The good news is that the bill has nine co-sponsors (in addition to the sponsor), and two of these co-sponsors, as well as Senator Graham, sit on Finance.
It's also not a bad thing that, between Senator Graham and his co-sponsors, the supporting cast behind S. 371 is bipartisan. Senator Graham is a Democrat and among the co-sponsors there are two more Democrats and seven Republicans, including Senators Paul Coverdell (R-GA), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Bill Frist (R-TN), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Connie Mack (R-FL). A nice bipartisan mix.
The bad news is that there does not seem to be a corresponding bill in the House of Representatives. While this is not the end of the world, it's always nice to work two similar pieces of legislation through both houses of Congress at the same time to help avoid last minute opposition.
Here are four easy steps you as a US resident or citizen can take. First, e-mail or write the sponsor and co-sponsors of S. 371 and thank them for their support. Here's how to find Congressional e-mails...press Congressional Correspondence. Just follow Roll Call's directions. You can also use this service to track legislation. Second, e-mail or write your Representatives and Senators and urge them to co-sponsor or vote for the bill or even consider sponsoring a House version. Same deal. Third, e-mail or write President Clinton and urge him to support the measure. I'll let you work to find this one.
Lastly, tell your friends and relatives about S. 371 and get them to do all of the above. Congratulations...You've done your good deed for the week. What's more, you've now embarked on the road to being a powerful, united voice for Honduras in the US. Now, with regard to the actual bill...
The following are excerpts from Senator Graham's comments introducing S. 371 on the Senator floor:
"The Central American and Caribbean Relief Act is a comprehensive plan that will help the struggling nations [of Central America and the Caribbean] get back on their feet and rebuild their economies. First, the bill will expand the current trade benefits provided under the Caribbean Basin Initiative. During my recent visit to the region their was unanimous agreement, from the Presidents of the countries to members of the private sector, the CBI enhancement is the number one priority of their economic recovery plan. History shows that expanding trade with the Caribbean Basin helps our own economy, expanding U.S. exports to the region at the same time that we build important trading relations with our closest neighbors. Any disaster relief package that does not include CBI enhancement falls far short of the mark.
The second part of this package will continue and expand current humanitarian and disaster assistance activities in the region. This will help to rehabilitate agricultural production, rebuild bridges and roads, provide much needed housing, clear landmines, restore safe water and health care, and help prevent similar disasters in the future. This is a continuation of the heroic efforts that the U.S. Government has already undertaken in response to these hurricanes. U.S. forces have been there since the day the disaster struck, rescuing hundreds from certain death, moving 30 million pounds of relief supplies, and helping rebuild the regions critical infrastructure.
By working to improve economic development of the region, we will help prevent needless environmental damage, strengthen the development of democracy in the region, and protect against the proliferation of narcotics trafficking. An investment in the long-term recovery of the region, which is so important to the United States both economically and politically, will produce benefits for the entire Western Hemisphere.
The bill includes the following initiatives:
$600 million to expand funding for humanitarian efforts to meet needs for health, water/sanitation, road reconstruction, agricultural restoration, agricultural microcredit, food, shelter, disaster mitigation and other emergency relief; Enhancement of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) to give the nation of Central America and the Caribbean the opportunity to quickly expand their economies and expand the manufacturing sector while they rebuild their agricultural base; $16 million for bilateral debt forgiveness for Honduras; A micro-credit initiative targeted at reviving agricultural production in the region; $150 million to replenish Defense Department funds depleted in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, including the humanitarian relief fund that supports landmine detection and removal; $70 million to expand New Horizons, a Department of defense program in the region that builds housing and roads, provides medical care, health services, and clean water to affected areas; Authorization of an OPIC direct equity pilot program to assist U.S. businesses in the region, develop low income housing, and rebuild damaged infrastructure; and $25 million for the Central American Emergency Trust Fund to be applied against multilateral debt and provide external financing needs. As we move forward to address the devastation of this event, the choice facing the United States is clear: we can continue to provide emergency assistance to the region for the foreseeable future and prepare for waves of refugees, or we can act to implement a comprehensive disaster recovery program that will rebuild the economies of the affected nations, allowing them to provide for themselves. The choice is simple, because helping these nations recovery is in our own interest. Failure to act will hurt ourselves and our neighbors. The Central American and Caribbean Relief Act is an important opportunity for the United States to lend a hand to neighbors in need and help them get back on their feet."
There's a lot of stuff in this package for Honduras. The good thing is that it's a diverse package, as opposed to a simplistic debt cancellation proposal. Don't get me wrong...if the US and other countries offered to cancel Honduras' debt outright, I would take it and run with it. Given the current crisis situation in Honduras, debt cancellation would relieve the country of a heavy load at the right time. However, in the long-run, it is more favorable trade, investment & finance initiatives, rather than charity, that will make the difference in Honduras.
By the way, when you contact your Representatives and Senators, particularly if they are from southern and southwestern states, be smart. Don't just appeal to their soft side and ask for help. Stress the fact that Senator Graham's bill is good for the US too. If the US doesn't spend some money now to help Honduras and other countries of the region, it is going to have to spend it to manage its borders as new waves of Central Americans head north. Target the Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas Congressional delegations!
Marco Caceres ProjectHonduras www.holyrosarychurch.org/projecthonduras.htm