Dear Chairman Shelby, Ranking Member Leahy, Chairwoman Lowey, and Ranking Member Granger:
We thank the Appropriations Committee for more than sixty years of bipartisan support for U.S.
international food aid programs, including P.L. 480 Title II (Food for Peace), Food for Progress, and
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education within the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
Our nation and the rest of the world are facing exceptional and unprecedented challenges during the
COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Food for Peace provides vital commodities to hungry people and poor
countries, and is a visible sign of America’s commitment to help the needy and stabilize risk-prone areas.
The U.S.-flag maritime industry is proud to be part of this effort and to serve the national security needs
of our nation. Our participation in P.L. 480 helps ensure that the U.S. has the privately owned and
operated merchant ships and the skilled civilian American merchant mariners it needs to provide
strategic sealift and other military support services in defense emergencies.
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