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Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), were joined by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution commending the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) on its 50th anniversary. The resolution applauds the IAF for its significant accomplishments and contributions to the economic and social development of the Americas.

The Inter-American Foundation was founded on December 30, 1969 as an independent U.S. agency that prioritizes sustainable, community-led development across Latin America and the Caribbean. It invests in these communities by supplying more than 5,000 community-led grants that aim to help millions of underserved people in the Americas. The IAF invests in grassroots movements that aim to promote prosperity and peace, and to increase democratic institutions. Its grassroots work allows it to engage directly with citizens, empowering them to get involved in their communities by taking part in civic life.

Rubio is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

The full text of the resolution is below.

Commending the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) on the occasion of its 50th anniversary for its significant accomplishments and contributions to the economic and social development of the Americas. 

Whereas December 30, 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Inter-American Foundation (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘IAF’’), an independent Federal agency in the United States that prioritizes sustainable, community-led development across Latin America and the Caribbean; 
 
Whereas the IAF was created under section 401 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 (22 U.S.C. 290f) ‘‘to achieve conditions in the Western Hemisphere under which the dignity and the worth of each human person will be respected and under which all men will be afforded the opportunity to develop their potential, to seek through gainful and productive work the fulfillment of their aspirations for a better life, and to live in justice and peace’’; 
 
Whereas the IAF invests in effective grassroots solutions that promote prosperity and peace, and advance the growth of democratic institutions; 

Whereas the unique development model of the IAF, applied through more than 5,000 community-led grants, has empowered millions of marginalized and underserved people in the Americas to achieve dignified livelihoods, effective civil engagement, and safer, more peaceful, and more just communities; 

Whereas the IAF’s model— 

(1) has demonstrated that making direct grants to grassroots groups and civil society organizations in underserved and vulnerable communities is cost-effective; 
(2) fosters self-reliance by requiring grantees to mobilize local resources for their own projects and by connecting them to networks of new partners; 
(3) leverages additional resources from private and community partners; and 
(4) incentivizes broad civic engagement and local ownership of community development; Whereas the IAF—by investing in grassroots approaches that create businesses, jobs, and leadership opportunities in communities—reinforces the commitment of individuals to strengthening their own communities; 
 
Whereas investments made by the IAF have created an extensive network of grassroots innovators and changemakers who— 

(1) are positively disposed to the United States; 
(2) are better positioned to partner with other United States Government agencies and other public and private funders; and 
(3) have gone on to leadership roles at the local and national levels; 

Whereas investments made by the IAF have improved the quality of life and democracy in the Americas by strengthening the capacity of individuals to participate in civic life, engage constructively with their local officials, and hold their governments accountable; 

Whereas, by listening and responding to the priorities of communities and investing in projects that utilize and validate local knowledge and expertise, the IAF has fostered trust and goodwill with the people of Latin America and the Caribbean; and Whereas the IAF’s support of community-led efforts designed to increase opportunities for development and the strengthening of civil society and democratic governance has advanced the national interests of the United States and promoted democratic values across the Western Hemisphere: 
 
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 
 
(1) commends the Inter-American Foundation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its establishment for its significant contributions to strengthening democracy, peace, and economic and social development in Latin American and the Caribbean; 
(2) recognizes that the bottom-up approach of the Inter-American Foundation empowers individuals in marginalized and underserved communities to be leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and change makers in development processes; 
(3) recognizes that the Inter-American Foundation advances the foreign policy of the United States Government and contributes directly to the national interests of the United States; and 
(4) commits to continue to support the vital work of the Inter-American Foundation as an independent agency.