The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE AMERICAN ASSISTANCE ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E143 on Feb. 4, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE AMERICAN ASSISTANCE ACT
______
HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 4, 1997
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Armenian Assistance Act. This bill is designed to assist Armenia and her people with an ambitious and progressive plan, similar to the successful program Operation Flood of India, to reconstruct sagging agricultural markets.
Ultimately, if Armenia is able to feed itself, its people will directly benefit from improved public health and nutrition standards. Improvement to Armenian's agricultural sector, specifically in the area of wheat seed development, is in the direct strategic interest of the United States and our desire to secure the advantages of a stable Caucasus region. Further, this bill will help empower Armenians in their bid for reform, likely establish new markets for United States products, and it specifically will enhance the exporting of United States agricultural products.
However, in introducing this bill, I am not proposing additional burdens for America's hardworking taxpayers nor proposing that we neglect America's precious farmland. Our people and farmers deserve more responsible representation. I recognize the need to harness the waste and dated programs contained within past foreign aid budgets. Therefore, I have pursued creative measures for striking a balance between the issue of controlling foreign aid and the need to help Armenia.
Allow me to clearly outline what this bill will do:
First, empower the private sector transition in Armenia toward a market economy, and likely establish new markets for the United States by strengthening our consumer buying power in Armenia.
Second, enhance the exporting of U.S. agricultural products.
Third, assist to coordinate activities with the U.S. Department of State, and help to establish a monitoring system in the Caucasus region for zoonotic diseases, which are transmissible from animals to humans. These diseases have no boundaries and are apt to cause major public health problems throughout the region, and furthermore are easily spread to Europe.
If this bill is passed, it is my intention to request that the agricultural renewal program in Armenia be implemented by the Armenian Technology Group [ATG], a nonprofit organization based in Fresno, CA. Over the past several years, ATG has been involved in similar programs in the area. It should be noted that, 80 percent of the organization's operational funding has been generated from the private and public sectors, and only 20 percent from U.S. Government sources. ATG has been effective in implementing its programs by working directly with the people of Armenia, in assisting them in their transition toward market economy, and in helping build democracy from the bottom up. I have enclosed for the Record specific figures on ATG's contributions and investments in the agricultural sector of the Republic of Armenia.
You may recall in the 104th Congress that the Government of Turkey was appropriated $22 million in economic support aid. Initially, the aid was dependent on Turkey's long-awaited recognition of the Armenian Genocide. A belligerent Ankara reacted to the House genocide clause, a reasonable amendment which I was privileged to introduce and lead in eventual passage in the House, by telling the United States State Department and the United States Congress that Turkey would not accept United States aid with preconditions such as recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Amazingly, Turkey was given the support and was not asked to recognize the genocide. All this despite their declaration to decline United States economic aid, while countries such as Armenia were in desperate need of financial support.
The Armenian Assitance Act proposes to redirect the $22 million or any remaining amount not yet obligated from the fiscal year 1997 Foreign Appropriations Act in economic support aid for Turkey, and transfer those funds to Armenia for agricultural development. I'm certain Armenia has been, and will continue to be, grateful for the support of the United States Government and the American taxpayer.
ARMENIAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.
[ATG Sponsored Contributions and Investments in the Agricultural Sector
of the Republic of Armenia 1989-1996]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributions/Donations Per Sector Amount USD Percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATG Contributions:
Private Sector Donations.................... $11,695,672 58.13
In-Kind Professional Services............... 3,751,456 18.65
Cash Contributions.......................... 586,468 2.92 U.S. Government Support:
USAID Grants/Sub-Grants..................... 2,948,226 14.66
Transportation Costs........................ 1,025,000 5.10 UNHCR Grants.................................. 115,010 0.58
-------------------------
Total................................... 20,121,832 ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________
