Are there any other Members seeking recognition? If there are no other Members seeking recognition, the question is on agreeing to the Subcommittee recommendation as amended. As many as are in favor of the amendment signify by saying aye.

As many as are opposed, say no.

The gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter is recognized to offer a motion.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I move the Chairman be requested to seek consideration of the pending resolution as amended on the suspension calendar.

Chairman GILMAN. The question is on the motion by the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter. As many as are in favor of the motion signify by saying aye.

Any opposed, say no.

The ayes have it. The motion is agreed to. Further proceedings on this measure are postponed.

We have one more measure to consider. I thank our colleagues for being patient. This is H. Res. 475 relative to the importance of the recent microcredit summit. The Chair lays the resolution before the Committee. The clerk will report the title of the resolution.

Ms. BLOOMER. "H. Res. 475. Resolution recognizing the importance of achieving the goal of the 1997 Microcredit Summit to provide access to microcredit to 100 million of the world's poorest families."

Chairman GILMAN. This resolution is in the original jurisdiction of the Full Committee. Without objection, the clerk will read the preamble and operative language of the resolution, in that order, for amendment. The clerk will read.

Ms. BLOOMER. "Whereas 1,300,000,000 people, which is nearly one-fifth of the population of the world, live in poverty; Whereas microcredit programs enable”

Chairman GILMAN. Without objection, the resolution is considered as having been read and is open to amendment at any point. [H. Res. 475 appears in the appendix.]

Chairman GILMAN. I will now recognize myself briefly to speak to the amendment. Then I'll yield to Mr. Luther.

This amendment is on the issue of microcredit. I have been a strong supporter of the Microcredit Summit. In my years of service, I have never heard of a non-governmental organization convening a summit, a meeting of the heads of state to support their cause. Results did just that. I was proud of their accomplishment. We should all commend Sam Daley Harris and Joanne Carter for their work on this measure.

The goal of the summit was clear to provide at least half of the world's poor, especially women, with access to microcredit loans. These loans have been so successful at the Grammen Bank and around the world where repayment rates average over 97 percent. I'll note that Brian Atwood and the First Lady were both at our summit, supported its goals.

When the House considers the foreign operations bill in the fall, I intend to offer a soft earmark of $160 million for microenterprise activities to help us meet the goal of the summit. I hope the Members of our Committee will be supportive.

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Regarding the measure before us, I commend the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Luther, for preparing this resolution which I strongly support. Mr. Luther.

Mr. LUTHER. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for bringing this resolution before the Committee today. As many of you know, the 1997 Microcredit Summit took place last February, a year ago February in Washington, and brought together nearly 3,000 people from 137 nations. Support for microcredit lending runs very deep in Congress and many on this Committee such as Mr. Houghton, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Hamilton, have been leaders in protecting these programs within the budget. However, it is clear that Congress must do more because investment in these programs has actually been declining in recent years.

This resolution simply calls on Congress to recognize the importance of achieving the goal of the 1997 Microcredit Summit. I urge its adoption. I thank the Chair for bringing this measure before the Committee. I thank the Chair for his comments.

Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Luther.

Mr. Hamilton.

Mr. HAMILTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say a word of appreciation to Mr. Luther. I think this is a very worthy. resolution. Beyond that, I think his interest in the microenterprise program that he and Mr. Fox and others have shown here is terribly important.

Microcredit is certainly among our most successful foreign aid programs. It has played a key role in alleviating the plight of the poorest people in the world. I strongly support the resolution and I commend the gentleman from Minnesota for his initiative. Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Hamilton.

Mr. Chabot.

Mr. CHABOT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to commend Mr. Luther for his leadership in this area. I have had a number of times when folks, supporters of microcredit from my district have met with me in Cincinnati. I remember seeing a program on "60 Minutes" years ago. It was the first time I had been introduced to the Grammen Bank in Bangladesh. I saw firsthand when I was in Uganda last summer a program which was directly benefiting people there, particularly women. Sometimes a very little bit of capital into the right hands can go a long way in really improving people's lives. So I again commend Mr. Luther for bringing this forward. I look forward to supporting it.

I yield back the balance.

Chairman GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chabot.

Are any other Members seeking recognition? If not, the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter is recognized to offer a motion.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I move the Chairman be requested to seek consideration of the pending resolution on the suspension calendar.

Chairman GILMAN. The question is on the motion of the gentleman from Nebraska. As many as are in favor signify by saying aye.

As many as are opposed, say no.

The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Further proceeding on this measure is postponed. The Committee stands

Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Chairman.

Chairman GILMAN. Mr. Hamilton.

Mr. HAMILTON. May I raise just one question? I had written to you about the life of the Deutch Commission. I favor the extension of that commission's work. Could you tell me where that stands at the moment? You can respond later if you want. I'm not pressing you for an answer now.

Chairman GILMAN. Mr. Hamilton, we have received your letter. We are reviewing it. We are going to try to get back to you as quickly as possible on our further proceeding on that.

Mr. HAMILTON. I appreciate that. Thank you.

Chairman GILMAN. If there is no further business, the Committee now stands adjourned.

Thank you, gentlemen, for being patient.

[Whereupon, at 12:44 p.m., the Committee was adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair.]

APPENDIX

[COMMITTEE PRINT]

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION

H. CON. RES. 292

[As Approved by the Subcommittee on Africa]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 19, 1998

Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, and Mr. CHABOT) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Calling for an end to the recent conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and for other purposes.

Whereas the 1991 ouster of the Mengistu dictatorship led to relative peace and stability in Eritrea and Ethiopia;

Whereas in 1993 Eritrea became independent after an internationally supervised referendum and the Government of Ethiopia accepted the result of the referendum;

Whereas the Governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia have worked closely on a wide range of issues over the past several years;

Whereas the Governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia enjoy warm relations with the United States;

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