U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern Leads 14 Members in Letter to Secretary Clinton on African Famine

A group of 14 bipartisan Members of Congress, led by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (MA), today sent a letter to Secretary of State Clinton urging the Secretary to "take all possible steps" required to provide humanitarian assistance to families in the insecure areas of central and southern Somalia, including through NGOS and the U.N.

Washington, DC, August 12, 2011
A group of 14 bipartisan Members of Congress, led by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (MA), today sent a letter to Secretary of State Clinton urging the Secretary to "take all possible steps" required to provide humanitarian assistance to families in the insecure areas of central and southern Somalia, including through NGOS and the U.N.

U.S. REP. JIM MCGOVERN LEADS 14 MEMBERS IN LETTER TO SECRETARY CLINTON ON AFRICAN FAMINE

A group of 14 bipartisan Members of Congress, led by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (MA), today sent a letter to Secretary of State Clinton urging the Secretary to "take all possible steps" required to provide humanitarian assistance to families in the insecure areas of central and southern Somalia, including through NGOS and the U.N.

The priority must be on saving lives.

The group also commended preventive measures like the pre-disposition of food aid, investment in safety net programs in Ethiopia, and Feed the Future programs that have saved millions from famine who had been vulnerable in the past.

A copy of the letter can be seen at the link below.

The bipartisan group, many of whom had participated in briefings and hearings last week on the situation on the ground in the eastern Horn of Africa, includes (all titles and organizations for identification purposes only):

James P. McGovern (D-MA)

Co-Chair, House Hunger Caucus

Co-Chair, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO)

Co-Chair, House Hunger Caucus

Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Financial Services Appropriations

Nita M. Lowey (D-NY)

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on State/Foreign Operations Appropriations

Frank R. Wolf (R-VA)

Co-Chair, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations

Donald M. Payne (D-NJ)

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights

Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ)

Chairman, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights

Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT)

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations

Erik Paulsen (R-MN)

Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

Ranking Member, House Budget Committee

Joseph Crowley (D-NY)

James P. Moran (D-VA)

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Interior and Environment Appropriations

Edward J. Markey (D-MA)

Ranking Member, Natural Resources Committee

Michael M. Honda (D-CA)

Ranking Member, Legislative Branch Appropriations