Chairman of House Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Praises Efforts to Reduce Poverty in Latin America and Caribbean

Washington, D.C.--In a vote of 405-1, the House of Representatives today passed a resolution (House Resolution 858) authored by Congressman Eliot Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, which congratulates the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) on its 40th anniversary and recognizes its effective model for grassroots foreign assistance.

Speaking on the House floor, Chairman Engel said, “Over the years, the Inter-American Foundation has improved the lives of millions of marginalized and poor people in Latin America and the Caribbean. As President Obama re-engages with our neighbors in the hemisphere, the work of the IAF is more important than ever. One of the best ways that Congress can stand with the President in supporting a robust social agenda in the hemisphere is through continued, strong support for the Inter-American Foundation.”

The Inter-American Foundation is an independent agency of the United States government that provides grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean for innovative, sustainable and participatory self-help programs. The IAF primarily funds partnerships among grassroots and non-profit organizations, businesses and local governments, directed at improving the quality of life of poor people and strengthening participation, accountability and democratic practices.

House Resolution 858 also recognizes the Inter-American Foundation as a vital component of U.S. foreign policy in the Americas. Rep. Engel said, “The IAF’s work does not simply provide tangible benefits to the poor. It is also extremely useful in maintaining a positive United States presence in Latin America and the Caribbean.”