Care Praises Senators Inouye, Cochran and Leahy for Their Leadership on State and Foreign Operations Approprations Bill

WASHINGTON D.C. (December 14, 2009) - Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed a $48.764 billion FY2010 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which will add significant funding to efforts that strike at the root causes of global poverty, including gender inequity, food security, maternal health, microfinance and climate change, among other global concerns.

''CARE is pleased to see this level of commitment to tackling the underlying causes of poverty, particularly gender inequity that prevents millions of women and girls worldwide from realizing their full potential,'' said Dr. Helene Gayle, CARE president and CEO. ''CARE commends Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) for showing tremendous leadership on this issue and championing this critical bill in the Senate.''

The U.S. Senate bill comes shortly after the U.S. House of Representatives passed companion legislation.

''CARE urges President Obama to sign this crucial bill now to unlock funds to empower women and girls to left themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty,'' said Dr. Gayle.

About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Working in more than 70 countries, women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve education, health and economic opportunity. Learn more at www.care.org.