News & Observer: Seeing the fruits of U.S. aid, fearing the toll of cuts
Lindsay K. Saunders, leader of the RESULTS Raleigh Group

“…Putting foreign assistance on the chopping block would be a serious mistake, by any definition of national interest. … For decades, the United States has been a leader in fighting extreme poverty. And by working in partnership with developing nations, global poverty has been cut in half since 1990. Currently, millions of kids are able to go to school and get vital medical treatment because of anti-poverty programs supported by the U.S. government. Healthy, educated children become healthy, educated adults who contribute to their communities and economies in a myriad of ways. This benefits all of us. … By investing in effective and efficient development programs, we can continue to make progress on poverty, and bolster country self-reliance. I strongly urge our members of Congress to reject any cuts to global anti-poverty programs. We must keep our commitments to these development programs…” (3/15).