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doms and democratic reforms for Cuba embodied in

the Pope's homilies which have peacefully united Cubans in the common cause of liberty.

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

OFFERED BY MR. HAMILTON

Strike the preamble and insert the following:

Whereas Pope John Paul II earlier this year undertook a first ever Papal visit to Cuba to speak directly to the Cuban people;

Whereas the Pope led the Cuban people in celebration

throughout the island, including leading the largest openair mass since 1959 on the last day of his visit in Jose Marti Plaza:

Whereas the Pope spoke directly with the Cuban people and the Cuban Government about the importance of fundamental human rights and the necessity for "each person enjoying freedom of expression, being free to undertake initiatives and make proposals within civil society, and enjoying appropriate freedom of association";

Whereas the Pope called for political freedom in Cuba, including a call to release "those who are isolated, persecuted, imprisoned for various offenses or for reasons of conscience, for ideas which though dissident are nonetheless peaceful";

Whereas the Pope called for greater religious freedom in

Cuba and a "harmonious social climate and a suitable legislation that enables every person and every religious confession to live their faith freely, to express that faith in the context of public life and to count on adequate resources and opportunities to bring its spiritual, moral and civil benefits to bear on the life of the nation";

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Whereas Cuban churches of all faiths supported the Papal

visit and emerged from the visit with expectations of greater prominence and freedom to operate in Cuban society;

Whereas the Pope invoked the name of Father Felix Varela y Morales, “an undeniable patriot”, who "spoke of democracy, judging it to be the political project best in keeping with human nature", and the name of Jose Marti, "a writer and a teacher in the fullest sense of his word, deeply committed to democracy and independence, a patriot, a loyal friend even to those who did not share his political program":

Whereas the Pope remembered "those people who for various

reasons have left the country but still feel that they are sons and daughters of Cuba" and established that "the Cuban people should be the protagonists of their own future and destiny";

Whereas the Pope both called for greater integration of the people of Cuba into the international community and criticized the Castro Government by saying "imposed isolation strikes the people indiscriminately, making it ever more difficult for the weakest to enjoy the bare essentials of decent living"; and

Whereas the Pope challenged Cuba and the international community of nations by saying "May Cuba with all its magnificent potential, open itself up to the world, and may the world open itself up to Cuba": Now, therefore, be it

Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the following:

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1 That the House of Representatives—

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(1) commends Pope John Paul II for his visit

to Cuba, for his frank criticism of the Cuban Gov

ernment, and his message of hope to the Cuban people; and

(2) urges the international community to join the United States in actively supporting the freedom and democratic reforms for Cuba embodied in the

Pope's homilies which have peacefully united Cubans in the common cause of liberty.

IV

105TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION

H. RES. 475

Recognizing the importance of achieving the goal of the 1997 Microcredit Summit to provide access to microcredit to 100,000,000 of the world's poorest families.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 17, 1998

Mr. LUTHER (for himself and Mr. Fox of Pennsylvania) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of achieving the goal of the 1997 Microcredit Summit to provide access to microcredit to 100,000,000 of the world's poorest families.

Whereas 1,300,000,000 people, which is nearly one-fifth of the population of the world, live in poverty;

Whereas microcredit programs enable poor individuals to work their way out of poverty with dignity by providing them with small loans at reasonable interest rates, which can be used to build an asset base or improve self-employment opportunities;