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220 Jewett Blvd,
PO Box 218, White Salmon, WA 98672
Phone: 509.493.2112 |
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| Local's effort brings hope to poor nations |
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| House supports debt relief |
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By Jesse Burkhardt
Legislation allowing the cancellation of debt to 56 of the world's poorest nations -- the "Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation" -- was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 16 by a wide margin.
The final vote to forgive the debt for these countries -- most of which were sold into debt by autocratic leaders decades ago -- was 285-132.
Proponents of the bill, which has now gone to the U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee for consideration, estimate that approval could save the lives of millions who are currently dying of starvation and disease.
There is a strong local tie to the legislation: The Jubilee Act is strongly supported by many Columbia Gorge church and community groups, including the Columbia River Fellowship for Peace. And Rev. David Duncombe, a member of the Bethel Congregational Church in White Salmon, has taken a leading role in support of the cause of debt relief.
Last fall, Duncombe went on a water-only fast for 46 days to show legislators the effects of starvation on human beings. Between Sept. 6 and Oct. 16, more than 14,000 people supported Duncombe by fasting for a day or two in a symbolic show of support for this cause, and also by writing letters and making phone calls to their congressional representatives.
Duncombe found solid -- but not universal -- support in his efforts to bring debt relief for impoverished nations. In a show of unusual bipartisan unity, the Jubilee bill was co-sponsored by both of Oregon's U.S. Senators and all five Oregon members of Congress.
"Not only did they vote for it, but they were co-sponsors," Duncombe said. "All seven of them."
Duncombe had high praise for U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R.-Ore.) for taking a key role in the House vote last fall.
Also supporting the bill were seven of Washington's nine members of Congress. However, one Washington congressman who did not support the bill was Duncombe's own representative in Congress -- Republican U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings of the Fourth Congressional District, which covers all of Klickitat County.
Duncombe said he made repeated efforts to sway Hastings during his stay in Washington, D.C.
"Hastings voted no. He wouldn't even see me," Duncombe explained. "I'd go to his office, and they'd say `he doesn't have time today.' I'd say, `Can you schedule me? I'll be here for six weeks,' and they said `No, we just can't.'"
Joining Duncombe in Washington, D.C., during part of his extended fast were Rev. John Boonstra, pastor of Duncombe's church in White Salmon, and White Salmon artist and fellow church member John Mayo.
The Jubilee bill had its first hearing in the Senate on April 26.
"We've worked on this over a year now. We're hopeful, but there is not much legislative time left," Duncombe said.
A prior Jubilee act passed in 2000 granted debt forgiveness to 22 nations, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. With passage of that act, those nations were able to redirect their previous debt payments into anti-poverty efforts. The current Jubilee Act greatly expands that law, and promises help for these countries in their effort to attain self-sufficiency.
Duncombe said he was gratified the bill has made so much progress.
"This vote was a great relief," he said. "This was really the biggest hurdle -- at least we hope it was."
If the Senate approves the legislation, Duncombe is optimistic President Bush will sign it into law.
"President Bush is generally for debt forgiveness," Duncombe said, "but he hasn't made a specific statement about this bill. We're hoping."
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