Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
1669297
label
1976/04/21 S3056 Guatemala Relief and Rehabilitation Act of 1976
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
1669297
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
1976/04/21 S3056 Guatemala Relief and Rehabilitation Act of 1976
citationUrl
collections
White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files
Legislation Case Files
subjects
Guatemala
Disaster relief
Legislation
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
1669297
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1976-04-30
month
4
year
1976
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1976-04-01
month
4
year
1976
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
0ad54f6f9d8e5b9e
ocrText
The original documents are located in Box 43, folder "4/21/76 S3056 Guatemala Relief and
Rehabilitation Act of 1976" of the White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files at
the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Exact duplicates within this folder were not digitized.
Digitized from Box 43 of the White House Records Office Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
& 0/21/76
APPROVED76
ACTION
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Last Day: April 26
April 20, 1976
Posted 14/22/76
MEMORANDUM FOR
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
JIM CANNOM
SUBJECT:
S. 3056 - Guatemala Relief and
14/22/16 archives
Rehabilitation Act of 1976
Attached for your consideration is S. 3056, sponsored by
Senators Humphrey and Kennedy, which authorizes FY 76
appropriations of $25 million to the President to provide
emergency relief, rehabilitation and humanitarian assistance
to the people who have been victimized by the recent
earthquakes in Guatemala.
A discussion of the provisions of the enrolled bill is
provided in OMB's enrolled bill report at Tab A.
OMB, Max Friedersdorf, Bill Seidman and I recommend
approval of the enrolled bill.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign S. 3056 at Tab B.
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
OF TIME PRESIDENT STATES UNITED
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF management AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
APR 16 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Bill S. 3056 - Guatemala Relief
and Rehabilitation Act of 1976
Sponsors - Sen. Humphrey (D) Minnesota and
Sen. Kennedy (D) Massachusetts
Last Day for Action
April 26, 1976 - Monday
Purpose
Authorizes fiscal year 1976 appropriations of $25
million to the President to provide emergency
relief, rehabilitation and humanitarian assistance
to the people who have been victimized by the
recent earthquakes in Guatemala.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
Department of State
Approval
Agency for International Development
Approval
National Security Council
Approval (informally)
Department of the Treasury
No objection
Discussion
S. 3056 authorizes the $25 million in appropriations
you requested in your message to the Congress of
February 19, 1976, to provide relief and rehabilita-
tion for Guatemala for the extensive earthquake
disaster it suffered beginning on February 4, 1976.
In addition to the appropriation authorization,
S. 3056 would:
-- Make this assistance subject to the
provisions of existing law applicable to
other disaster assistance.
2
-- Permit the reimbursement of appropriation
accounts that have already been drawn upon
to aid Guatemala.
-- Provide that not more than $4 million of the
funds appropriated under the bill could be
used to repair the Puerto Barrios highway,
the nation's principal commercial artery.
(This provision is designed to assure that
the bulk of the assistance goes for
immediate humanitarian relief.)
-- Require that, to the maximum extent
feasible, construction funded under the
authorization be seismic resistant.
-- Require that, to the maximum extent feasible,
U.S. voluntary agencies and international
agencies be used to distribute this
assistance.
-- Require quarterly reporting to Congress of
the programming and obligation of funds
appropriated under the authorization.
Commenting on the foregoing provisions in its enrolled
bill letter, the Agency for International Development
states:
"
None of these provisions should
impede the successful completion of our
projected assistance program, and we
recommend that the President sign the
bill."
James m. Trey
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Enclosure
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20523
APR 1 5 1976
Mr. James Frey
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. 20503
Dear Mr. Frey:
On behalf of A.I.D., I am pleased to recommend that
the President approve the Enrolled Bill, S. 3056, an
Act to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to
provide emergency relief, rehabilitation and humanitarian
assistance to the people who have been victimized by the
recent earthquakes in Guatemala.
The Bill is in substance responsive to the Executive
Branch's request for funding and authority to assist
the victims of the Guatemalan earthquake which occurred
in February of this year. S.3056 contains an authorization
of appropriations of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for
disaster assistance to Guatemala and provides that the
assistance may be furnished in accordance with the policies
and authorities of existing international disaster relief
legislation contained in section 491 of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, as amended. It also permits obligations pre-
viously incurred against other accounts to be charged against
the authorized appropriation.
The Bill varies from the Executive Branch submission in
that it amends the Foreign Assistance Act and contains, as
a consequence, technical modifications to ensure that the
amounts authorized are only used for the specific purpose
set forth in the bill. Minor modifications have been made
with respect to the dates on which quarterly reports on the
obligation of funds will be due, and language has been added
- 2 -
which would require special emphasis on the construction
of housing with seismic resistant materials and which would
limit obligations for the Puerto Barrios Highway - the
major Guatemalan artery damaged by the earthquake - to
$4,000,000. The legislation also requires that to the
maximum extent practicable assistance be distributed through
voluntary agencies and international organizations. None
of these provisions should impede the successful completion
of our projected assistance program, and we recommend that
the President sign the bill.
Appropriations of $25,000,000 for the Guatemala relief
program are contained in the Conference Committee's
recommendations for H.R. 12203 (the FY 76 Foreign Assistance
and Related Programs Appropriations Bill) which are presently
awaiting House and Senate ratification.
a Sincerely yours,
Charles L. Gladson
General Counsel
OF
THE TREASURY THE
THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE TREASURY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220
1789
APR 1 5 1976
Director, Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D.C. 20503
Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative
Reference
Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the views of this
Department on the enrolled enactment of S. 3056, "To amend the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide emergency relief,
rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance to the people who
have been victimized by the recent earthquakes in Guatemala."
The enrolled enactment would authorize the President to
provide assistance, on such terms and conditions as he may
determine, for the relief of people victimized by the recent
earthquakes in Guatemala.
The Department would have no objection to a recommendation
that the enrolled enactment be approved by the President.
Sincerely yours,
General Counsel
Richard R. Albrecht
2200
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
April 15, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Mr. James M. Frey
Assistant Director for Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
FROM:
Jeanne W. Davi
Staff Secretary
and
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill S. 3056
The NSC Staff recommends the President approve S. 3056, to provide
disaster relief to Guatemala.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
APR 16 1976
Dear Mr. Lynn:
I refer to Mr. Frey's memorandum of April 14 re-
questing the views of the Department of State on the
Enrolled Bill S-3056, An Act To amend the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 to provide emergency relief,
rehabilitation and humanitarian assistance to the
people who have been victimized by the recent earth-
quake in Guatemala.
We believe the enrolled bill is responsive to the
Administration's request for authorizing legislation
to provide assistance to the people of Guatemala who
have suffered the effects of this terrible disaster.
We, therefore, strongly urge that it be approved by
the President.
Sincerely yours,
Robal
J.
McClarly
Robert J. McCloskey
Assistant Secretary for
Congressional Relations
The Honorable
James T. Lynn,
Director,
Office of Management and Budget
THE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
Date: April 16
Time: 600pm
FOR ACTION:
Nag Friedersdorf w
CC (for information):
Ken Lazarus
Jack Marsh
Bill Seidman
n
Jim Cavanaugh
Ed Schmutts
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
April 19
Time: noon
SUBJECT:
S. 3056 - Guatemala Relief and Rehabilitation Act of 1976
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Judy Johnston, Ground Floor West Wing
cannon 4/20 800 am
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
K. R. COLE, JR.
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 19, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CAVANAUGH
FROM:
MAX L. FRIEDERSDORF
wb
S. 3056 - Guatemala Relief and Rehabilitation Act of '76
SUBJECT:
The . Office of Legislative Affairs concurs with the agencies
bill be signed.
that the
Attachments
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date: April 16
Time: 600pm
Max Friedersdorf
FOR ACTION:
CC (for information):
Ken Lazarus
Jack Marsh
Bill Seidman
Jim Cavanaugh
Ed Schmults
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
April 19
Time: noon
SUBJECT:
S. 3056 - Guatemala Relief and Rehabilitation Act of 1976
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Judy Johnston, Ground Floor West Wing
No objection -- Ken Lazarus 4/19/76
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
James M. Cannon
delay in submitting the required material, please
For the President
ielephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
RECD
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date: April 16
Time: 600pm
Max Friedersdorf
FOR ACTION:
CC (for information):
Ken Lazarus
Jack Marsh
Bill Seidman
Jim Cavanaugh
Ed Schmults
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
April 19
Time: noon
SUBJECT:
S. 3056 - Guatemala Relief and Rehabilitation Act of 1976
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Judy Johnston, Ground Floor West Wing
opproval
gur
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
James M. Cannon
delay in submitting the required material, please
For the President
ielephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
Calendar No. 649
94TH CONGRESS
SENATE
REPORT
2d Session
No. 94-679
GUATEMALA RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ACT
OF 1976
MARCH 3, 1976.-Ordered to be printed
Mr. HUMPHREY, from the Committee on Foreign Relations,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany S. 3056]
The Committee on Foreign Relations, to which was referred the
bill (S. 3056) to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide
emergency relief, rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance to the
people who have been victimized by the recent earthquakes in Guate-
mala, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of the bill is to authorize the appropriation of $25
million to provide relief and rehabilitation assistance to the people
of Guatemala who were victims of the earthquakes which occurred in
that nation in February, 1976.
SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS IN S. 3056
1. Authorization of Appropriations: The bill authorizes appropria-
tion of $25 million for relief and rehabilitation activities in Guate-
mala. The appropriations are authorized for the fiscal year 1976 and to
remain available until expended.
2. The assistance is to be provided subject to the policy and general
authority of section 491 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as
amended.
3. Funds authorized by this bill may be used to reimburse appro-
priation accounts from which initial relief funds were drawn, but may
not otherwise be transferred.
57-010
4
5
some equipment used for road construction or medical purposes may
be desirable, but the committee would not expect other transfers, and
therefore, urges the executive branch to give favorable consideration
certainly not any significant deviation from these understandings,
to participation with other nations in meeting the appeal of the
without prior consultation.
UNHCR.
The committee has noted reports of the effective response of U.S.
The committee is also aware of the relief work now being carried out
and other voluntary organizations to the needs of the victims of the
in Lebanon by the International Committee of the Red Cross and by
earthquake in Guatemala. The committee calls attention to its intent
the American University of Beirut Hospital. The executive branch
that to the maximum extent practicable assistance be distributed
has provided support for this work in the past and should continue to
through the United States and inter-American voluntary agencies.
give it favorable consideration. Other private and voluntary organiza-
The draft bill for Guatemala relief submitted by the executive
tions have issued special appeals. The committee hopes that each of
branch would have created independent statutory authority for these
these will be given separate consideration on its own merits.
activities. The committee did not agree with this procedure, preferring
There are a number of sources from which the executive branch can
instead to place these activities under title I of the Foreign Assistance
fund assistance for Lebanon without new legislative action. Subsec-
Act of 1961, as amended. This new section of the act was created by
tion 495A (f), which would be added to the Foreign Assistance Act
the International Development and Food Assistance Act of 1975
by this bill, gives the executive branch the authority to transfer valid
specifically to provide a consolidated coherent body of legislation on
charges for Guatemala relief from the general disaster relief account
disaster relief and assistance. At the time that 1975 act was under
to the special Guatemala disaster relief account authorized by sub-
consideration, the Administrator of AID himself wrote the committee
section 495A(c). Based on existing obligations in the disaster relief
expressing the executive branch view that "it is preferable to include
account, and assuming the account is fully funded for the fiscal year
legislation on international disaster relief assistance in the basic
1976, the approval of this authority would make adequate funds avail-
Foreign Assistance Act, rather than as a separate law." The committee
able for disaster relief in Lebanon during the fiscal year 1976. The
action is consistent with that view.
committee also notes that the legislative history of the contingency
Relief Assistance to Lebanon
fund, section 451 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended,
The committee has recently received various proposals to provide
makes it clear that the contingency fund may be used for famine and
disaster assistance such as that needed in Lebanon, as well as other
emergency relief and rehabilitation to the people of Lebanon. An
amendment submitted to the committee by Senator Abourezk proposed
contingencies. In the case of both the contingency fund and the regu-
such assistance to Lebanon as a part of the present Guatemala relief
lar disaster account, funds provided for the transition quarter could
legislation.
be added to fiscal year 1976 funds to meet needs during the current
calendar year.
The need for such assistance is recognized following the civil strife
The committee urges the executive branch to consider all of these
which has devastated Beirut and other cities and villages throughout
Lebanon. This struggle has left thousands wounded, homeless or in
sources of possible funding, as well as emergency food supplies avail-
less than adequate shelter. Many more, especially children, are sick and
able under Public Law 480, as it evaluates appeals from the UNHCR
hungry.
an other worthy international agencies and private and voluntary or-
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
ganizations. If appropriate, direct appeals from the Government of
has recently issued a special appeal for $50 million for emergency
Lebanon could be considered, but the committee feels that contribu-
relief programs in Lebanon to be administered by the UNHCR and
tions and distributions must be made on a non-ideological, non-
other UN agencies during calendar year 1976. The committee has been
political basis to the people of both religious communities who have
advised that the portion administered by the UNHCR (approximately
suffered from the war. U.S. assistance must be used only for the
$25.5 million) would be used to repair housing and replace minimal
support of programs which are administered in such a way that
essential household equipment such as blankets, clothing, and mat-
distribution is not controlled by or channeled through political fac-
tresses, and for medical supplies. Another portion, about $14 million
tions on outside forces such as the Palestine Liberation Army or other
would be used by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
groups under non-Lebanese control. The committee strongly favors
for maternal and child feeding. Approximately $5 million would be
the use of the UNHCR and selected voluntary agencies as the vehicles
for health services and medical supplies administered by the World
for the distribution of the U.S. relief support.
Health Organization, and about $500,000 would be administered
The committee expects the executive branch to report to the com-
through UNRWA, with the remaining $5 million to cover administra-
mittee not later than May 1, 1976, on its action to carry out a program
tion costs.
of assistance to the people of Lebanon, SO that the committee may
The committee notes that the United States has already obligated
consider the progress of such a program and a projection of further
$959,805 from existing disaster relief funds to aid the people affected
emergency aid before final Senate action on a fiscal year 1977 foreign
by this man-made disaster. But much more is needed. The committee,
assistance bill.
S.R. 679
S.R. 679
6
COST ESTIMATE
Section 252 (a) (1) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1972
requires that committee reports on bills and joint resolutions contain:
(a) An estimate made by such committee of the costs which would
be incurred in carrying out such a bill or joint resolution in the fiscal
APPENDIX I-PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
year in which it is reported and in each of the five fiscal years fol-
lowing such fiscal year.
To the Congress of the United States
The committee estimates that the cost of implementing this bill will
On February 4th a devastating earthquake struck Guatemala. That
be approximately as follows
earthquake, together with its aftershocks, has left over 22,000 dead,
Fiscal period :
Outlays in millions
more than 75,000 injured, and one million homeless.
1976
$14
The United States has a special responsibility to help meet the
Transition quarter
5
urgent needs in Guatemala. Immediate aid has already been extended
1977
6
by U.S. agencies, both public and private, including:
-Emergency shelters, medical supplies and food provided by the
Agency for International Development.
-Transportation and medical facilities provided by the Depart-
ment of Defense.
-Food distribution, medical services, and other disaster relief ac-
tivities provided by numerous private voluntary agencies.
Last week I dispatched my Special Coordinator for International
Disaster Assistance-AID Administrator Daniel Parker-to Guate-
mala for a firsthand review of the situation. He has now reported to
me and to Congressal Committees on the extent of damage and need.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed resolu-
tions expressing sympathy for the people of Guatemala in their hour
of distress and urging development of a comprehensive U.S. response.
The Secretary of State will visit the Republic of Guatemala on Feb-
ruary 24 to express further our support for the people of Guatemala.
I am now proposing urgent and specific action to turn these expres-
sions of sympathy into tangible assistance. The proposed $25 million
"Guatemala Disaster Relief Act of 1976" which I am sending herewith
represents an immediate humanitarian response of the United States
to the victims of this tragedy who have been injured or have lost their
relatives, their homes and possessions, and in many cases their very
means of existence.
This legislation, and the ensuing appropriation, will enable us to
respond to the human tragedy in Guatemala. Our response will reflect
America's concern for the people of Guatemala.
GERALD R. FORD.
THE WHITE HOUSE, February 19, 1976.
(7)
S.R. 679
S.R. 679
9
of Guatemala was to dispatch a U.S. Military Disaster Assistance
Survey Team from Panama and airlift a 100-bed U.S. military field
hospital, fully staffed and equipped. Eighteen helicopters were de-
ployed; medical supplies, tents, blankets and water equipment from
U.S. disaster stocks followed. Additional teams of engineers, water
specialists and medical/communication specialists were also sent to
APPENDIX II-AID PROPOSALS
Guatemala to assist the Government.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
The funds cover the continuing costs of initial emergency relief
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
operations provided by the Department of Defense, other participat-
Washington, February 19, 1976.
ing U.S. agencies, procurement of supplies, transportation, grants to
Hon. NELSON ROCKEFELLER,
U.S. Voluntary Agencies, the OAS, replacement of disaster stocks in
President, U.S. Senate,
Panama and other support costs. The actual level of expenditure will
Washington, D.C.
depend on the duration of the emergency phase, and particularly on
DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: It is my honor to forward herewith explana-
the timing of withdrawal of the helicopters, and medical support.
tory material entitled "Proposed U.S. Relief and Rehabilitation of the
(B) RURAL REHABILITATION ($7.5 MILLION)
Victims of the Guatemala Disaster." This material has been prepared
in order to assist the Congress in the consideration of the proposed
1. Shelter
Guatemala Disaster Relief Act of 1976 transmitted by Presidential
Funds would be allocated to supply critically needed supplementary
message on February 19, 1976.
building construction materials and hand tools for up to 100,000 units
Proposed U.S. assistance would be concentrated on the immediate
of rural and small community housing in the devastated Indian high-
needs of the poor in Guatemala who have borne the brunt of this
lands. The uniqueness of this disaster was its effect on the rural poor
human tragedy in terms of death, injury, disease and economic loss.
who because of the very nature of construction of their dwellings
The construction of temporary shelter and reopening of key trans-
were singled out as the major victims of the earthquakes. The Gov-
portation arteries are vital first steps. After completing a first hand
ernment of Gatemala estimates that more than 150,000 such dwellings
review of the situation in the field at the President's request, I can
were lost in the earthquakes and subsequent tremors, in addition to
assure you that that human suffering in Guatemala is serious and
more than 100,000 urban dwellings. We expect that roughly 1/3 of the
deserves the urgent consideration of the Congress.
rural needs will be rebuilt through individual and direct GOG and
Sincerely,
other donor assistance. To meet the balance of this requirement, and
DANIEL PARKER.
in support of self-help efforts, simple materials and tools that can be
Enclosure.
purchased locally or in nearby countries or, as necessary, shipped
from the United States will be employed. We contemplate as was
PROPOSED U.S. RELIEF AND REHABILITATION OF THE VICTIMS OF THE
done in response to Hurricane Fifi in Honduras with considerable
GUATEMALAN DISASTER
efficiency and economy, a grant-funded program executed through key
The total amount requested will permit AID to continue participa-
private voluntary agencies such as CARE, wherein small farmers and
tion, in close collaboration with the Government of Guatemala and
the rural poor in general will be provided relatively inexpensive roof-
other donors, to help meet the highest priority immediate relief and
ing materials (e.g., galvanized tin and asbestos composition corrugated
rehabilitation needs. In addition to the ongoing emergency relief oper-
sheets), hammers, saws, chisels, nails, reinforcing bars, simple hard-
ations, our proposed input literally is geared to helping Guatemala to
ware, etc., and limited technical help. Involvement of existing co-
win a race against the elements-with an eye on the rainy season which
operative organizations in the Indian highlands also will be stressed.
normally begins in approximately 90 days. So as to minimize further
Experience in similar situations has shown that the bulk of such re-
suffering and additional major economic dislocation, at the request of
construction is carried out by the families involved. In fact, the proc-
the Government of Guatemala and based on continuing assessment in
ess of clearing necessary sites and sorting out materials already has
the field, we will concentrate assistance over the coming few months
begun. Attention to farming and other economic activity typically
primarily on helping to insure adequate temporary shelter with sup-
takes second place to providing shelter for the surviving family, mak-
porting community facilities and on reopening critical transportation
ing this activity not only an essential element of social rehabilitation,
links, especially the badly damaged Guatemala City-Caribbean High-
but of economic import as well.
way, the main artery essential to the country's economic viability.
Benefits of research sponsored by AID since the 1970 earthquake in
Peru will be applied, to the extent possible, in improving seismic re-
sistance of basically adobe construction. With minimal cost increases,
(B) EMERGENCY RELEF OPERATIONS ($7.5 MILLION)
it is hoped that the affected families, with the direct help of the in-
The initial response of the U.S. Country Team in Guatemala and
volved PVO's and cooperatives, will by the onset of the rainy season
AID's Foreign Disaster Relief Center to requests of the Government
(8)
S.R. 679
S.R. 679
11
10
be sheltered in conditions that are sufficiently comfortable and secure
(D) OTHER URGENT ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
to restore to them at least a semblance of the life-hard as it has al-
($2.5 MILLION)
ways been-they knew prior to February 4. Roofing materials to be
Based on the results of high altitude aerial reconnaissance, danger-
supplied will be of a kind that will limit the extent of personal injury
in any future earthquakes (as compared to titles commonly used) and
ous topographical changes appear to have developed in various parts
also will be useable in more permanent construction.
of the earthquake-affected area. Possible flooding from the rupture of
naturally-formed dams as water accumulation occurs, particularly
2. Supporting Community Facilities
after the onset of the rainy season, could cause severe additional loss
To the extent complementary, relatively simple construction needs
of life and physical damage if not corrected opportunely. Specialists
can be met quickly and economically, assistance also will be extended
in dealing with the difficult engineering and demolition problems en-
to restore a minimum of vital community services (small farmer mar-
tailed and other assistance as necessary, beyond that which is avail-
kets, schools, slaughtering facilities, health posts, etc.) to permit com-
able and can be financed in-country, will be provided.
munities to continue their traditional role as providers of social stabil-
Summary
ity and cohesion in the Indian areas. In all cases, such assistance will
Immediate relief efforts, complemented by the undertakings listed
be limited to keeping communities socially and economically viable
until broader, more durable, public services can be restored. In this
above, represent a basic, necessary and immediate response to pressing
humanitarian and economic needs felt by the Government of Guate-
effort, close coordination will exist with the GOG's Municipal Devel-
mala and confirmed by our field assessments. They are essential to re-
opment Institute (INFOM), with which AID has had a long and
successful relationship in Guatemala.
storing near-normal life in Guatemala and to recapturing the momen-
As needed and requested by voluntary agencies with known com-
tum of development progress which, under the administration of
petence, funds will be made available to support Guatemalan Govern-
President Laugerud, had only recently begun to move the large mass
ment efforts in relieving the social trauma of victims.
of Guatemala's urban and rural poor closer to enjoying the benefits
of growth.
Some shifts in the application of requested funds may prove neces-
(C) TRANSPORTATION LINKS, INCLUDING RESTORATION OF THE GUATEMALA
sary as assessments of needs and costs continue to be refined and as the
CITY-CARIBBEAN HIGHWAY ($7.5 MILLION)
financial capacity of the Guatemalan Government itself and assistance
Based on a careful survey just completed by an 11-man U.S. Army
from other donors can be better identified.
Corps of Engineers detachment, it now appears that in a period of 60-
In this connection, AID will remain alert to ways of applying funds
75 days (before the rainy season makes such work difficult, if not im-
not only SO as to meet pressing shelter and vital communications prob-
possible), the immediate phase of restoring Guatemala's principal ex-
lems in the short run, but to facilitating as well, by community and
port and import link with the rest of the world can be accomplished.
cooperative action especially suitable in the Indian highlands of Gua-
The road must be made passable for the thousands of trucks and
temala, broader participation in the very process as well as the bene-
buses which normally transit this highway, now interrupted by a
fits of development.
bridges. stretch of approximately 50 miles of severe slides and destroyed
Time has now become the major opponent in the continued support
of our Government and people to Guatemala. If the assistance pro-
If this work can be accomplished, as proposed, using the services of
posed herein can be made available immediately, essential work can
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or other emergency help that can
be completed before the onset of the rainy season, SO alleviating addi-
be mobilized immediately, it is expected that the Guatemalan Govern-
tional anguish for a burdened people.
ment will be able to provide the maintenance capability to keep the
road open during the rainy season. In the meantime, there are indica-
tions that international financing should be available for the major
job of permanent reconstruction that cannot begin until later in the
year when the detailed engineering and weather conditions would per-
mit this major operation to get underway.
Additionally, destruction of a number of vital farm-to-market roads
in the Indian highland area has cut off communities from the access
they need to maintain some economic touch with 20th century life.
Special priority will be given to opening up these vital lifelines of
communication, necessary to facilitating broader reconstruction efforts
in the future.
S.R. 679
S.R. 679
94TH CONGRESS
~
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPORT
2d Session
No. 94-891
GUATEMALA DISASTER RELIEF ACT OF 1976
MARCH 11, 1976.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
Mr. DIGGS, from the Committee on International Relations,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany H.R. 12046]
The Committee on International Relations, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 12046) to provide for relief and rehabilitation assistance
to the victims of the earthquakes in Guatemala, and for other pur-
poses, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
On page 2, after line 18, add the following:
SEC. 5. In order to limit the extent of deaths, injuries,
and destruction in future earthquakes, assistance provided
under this Act which is used for the construction of housing
in the Republic of Guatemala shall, to the maximum extent
possible, be used for housing which is constructed of seismic
resistant materials or which will otherwise minimize the
danger of injury to occupants during future earthquakes;
and the President should encourage the Government of the
Republic of Guatemala to promote the use of such materials.
SEC. 6. Assistance made available under this Act shall be
distributed to the maximum extent practicable through
United States voluntary relief agencies and other interna-
tional relief and development organizations.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Shortly after the February 4, 1976, earthquake, which struck Guate-
mala, the Committee on International Relations began gathering
information concerning the extent of the disaster and steps being
taken to provide relief. Staff inquiry in Washington was followed
by a staff survey on the scene in Guatemala February 12-14. On Feb-
ruary 18, the Subcommittee on International Resources, Food and
57-006
3
2
BACKGROUND
Energy, under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Charles C. Diggs,
Jr., received testimony from Daniel C. Parker, Administrator of the
At 3 :02 a.m. February 4, 1976, Guatemala was struck by its worst
Agency for International Development and Special Coordinator for
earthquake in over 20 years. Not since Antigua, the previous capital,
International Disaster Relief Assistance, on the findings of his inspec-
was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, has the country experienced
tion of the disaster area.
such a disaster. The two major quakes in this year's disaster registered
On February 19 the President sent a message to the Congress re-
6.0 and 7.5 on the Richter scale.
questing emergency assistance to Guatemala. The President's legis-
According to current estimates. the disaster killed 22,000 men,
lative request was introduced February 24 as H.R. 12046, by Mr. Diggs,
women, and children, injured 74,000, and left 1 million homeless.
with bipartisan cosponsorship. Joining in sponsoring the bill were
Damage has been estimated at upwards of $600 million. Seismic activ-
the Honorable Thomas E. Morgan, chairman of the full committee,
ity has continued since the first quake, causing additional suffering
and Congressmen Buchanan, Collins of Illinois, Fascell, Gilman,
and destruction.
Hechler of West Virginia, Nix, Solarz, and Zablocki. On March 2,
Unlike the 1972 earthquake in Nicaragua, which was confined pri-
an identical bill, H.R. 12240, was introduced by Congressman Der-
marily to its urban capital of Managua, the 1976 Guatemalan earth-
winski with the cosponsorship of Congressmen Biester, Conte, du Pont,
quake is essentially a rural disaster. The major devastation occurred
Findley, Guyer, Lagomarsino, Whalen, and Winn.
in a 3,530-square-mile area around Chimaltenango, in the Indian High-
The subcommittee held a second hearing, specifically directed to
lands and along the Motagua fault, which runs east-west from a point
H.R. 12046, on March 4, and approved an amended version of the bill.
about 15 miles north of Guatemala City and eastward as far as Puerto
The full committee considered the measure on March 9 and ordered
Barrios. The larger population centers experienced relatively little
it reported, as amended, by voice vote.
damage.
The high death toll resulted from the timing of the disaster and the
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
nature of Guatemala's rural housing construction. Coming as it did at
3:02 a.m., the quake caught most of the population at home asleep.
The purpose of the Guatemala Disaster Relief Act of 1976 is to
Initially thousands of Indians asleep in homes with adobe walls were
authorize the appropriation of $25 million for relief and rehabilita-
crushed by heavy tile roofs, which collapsed on them.
tion assistance to the people of Guatemala victimized by the earth-
Remarkably, virtually all of Guatemala's industrial plants remained
quakes which devastated significant portions of that country
intact. However, extensive earthquake damage has disrupted normal
beginning on February 4, 1976.
transit along the Guatemala City-Puerto Barrios highway and rail-
road-the nation's principal artery for exports and imports-with
SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL
grave economic consequences for the national economy. Nearly 100,000
small farmers depend upon this highway to transport their produce
1. The bill authorizes appropriations of $25 million for earthquake
disaster relief and rehabilitation activities in Guatemala, including
to Guatemala City. The marketing of approximately 50 percent of
Guatemala's rice production, 30 percent of its corn, and 97 percent of
reimbursement for obligations already incurred for this purpose.
its tomatoes depends upon this highway where normal average two-
Such assistance is authorized for fiscal year 1976 and is authorized to
way traffic is 2,745 vehicles per day.
remain available until expended.
2. Assistance under this act is to be consistent with the policy and
Also, the earthquake inflicted severe damage to many essential com-
general authorities applicable to the furnishing of disaster assistance
munity facilities. These included water supplies, hospitals, and schools.
as outlined in section 491 (International Disaster Assistance) of the
INITIAL RELIEF EFFORTS
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as amended.
3. Assistance provided under this act used for the construction of
Within hours after the first quake the U.S. country team in Guate-
housing in Guatemala shall, to the maximum extent possible, be for
mala and the Agency for International Development's Foreign Dis-
housing constructed of seismic-resistant materials; and the Presi-
aster Center in Washington began around-the-clock relief operations.
dent is to encourage the Government of Guatemala also to promote
U.S. equipment, supplies, and personnel were sent in quickly including
use of such materials or housing reconstruction.
a U.S. military Disaster Assistance Survey Team (DAST) from Pan-
4. Assistance made available under this act shall be distributed to
ama, a fully equipped and staffed 100-bed military field hospital, an
the maximum extent practicable through United States private volun-
Engineering Survey Team to assess road, bridge, and rail damage, 18
tary organizations and other international relief and development
helicopters, 8 two-man medical/communications teams, physicians, and
organizations.
pharmacists.
5. Reports on the programming and obligation of funds under the
As of March 4, the administration had obligated $5.5 million from
act shall be submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives
the Disaster Assistance Fund for relief activities in Guatemala. In
and to appropriate Senate Committees no later than 90 days after the
addition, $5 million in food was provided from Public Law 480.
enactment of appropriations and on a quarterly basis thereafter.
H.R. 891
H.R. 891
4
5
The response of the Guatemalan Government and the international
the political advantage of the incumbent government. The preponder-
community to the disaster has been encouraging. By March 4, 27 coun-
ance of relief aid has in fact gone to nonmetropolitan areas, the earth-
tries and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
quake having struck mainly in the countryside. However, there have
and the Inter-American Development Bank had provided relief and
been reported instances of favoritism, which the committee hopes will
rehabilitation assistance to Guatemala. Many private voluntary orga-
be reduced with its amendment added as section 6-requiring that to
nizations such as CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Red Cross,
the maximum practicable extent, assistance under this Act shall be dis-
CARITAS, Partners of the Americas (Alabama), and the Seventh
tributed through U.S. voluntary relief agencies and other interna-
Day Adventists have given generous and effective support.
tional relief and development organizations.
The longer range reconstruction task and the extent to which the
PRESIDENTIAL REQUEST
United States can or should partake in it, has yet to be determined.
The committee is pleased to note, in this connection, the intention of
The Presidential request for $25 million for relief and rehabilitation
Guatemala to undertake the largest share of reconstruction costs from
for Guatemala's earthquake victims includes:
her own resources.
-$7.5 million for rehabilitation of housing and community
facilities;
RELIEF ASSISTANCE FOR LEBANON
-$7.5 million for repairs to the major Guatemala City-Puerto
Barrios highway;
The committee has received several bills for relief assistance to
-$2.5 million for removal of landslides;
Lebanon. The civil war there has killed an estimated 10,000 people,
-$7.5 million for reimbursement of the Disaster Assistance Ac-
wounded many more, uprooted perhaps 200 million, and caused losses
count for funds spent in the initial emergency relief.
estimated in billions of dollars.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Inter-
COMMITTEE COMMENTS
national Red Cross have issued appeals for humanitarian aid in relief
of the victims of this manmade disaster. While other nations have
The American people have a long tradition of humanitarian help to
donated cash and commodities in varying amounts, the only U.S.
those in need, and their reaction to the Guatemala tragedy has been no
Government response to date has been to contribute $960,000 in medical
exception. News of the disaster was quickly followed by voluntary
supplies distributed through the American University in Beirut.
contributions from citizens across the United States. The United
The Disaster Assistance Account of $25 million in fiscal 1976 au-
States Government provided prompt initial relief on the scene. The
thorized under section 492 of the Foreign Assistance Act is nearly
House and Senate passed resolutions expressing sympathy and urging
exhausted at this time for expenditures for various emergencies. How-
development of a comprehensive response.
ever, the reimbursement for prior obligations incurred for Guatemala
H.R. 12046, the Guatemala Disaster Relief Act of 1976, is a tangible
disaster relief authorized in section 3 of this bill will allow replenish-
response to Guatemala's emergency need in keeping with the Ameri-
ment of some $7.5 million to the Disaster Assistance Account. It is the
can tradition.
committee's understanding that, in the absence of a separate Presi-
The committee stresses the emergency nature of the bill particularly
dential request to Congress for war disaster relief for Lebanon, these
because of the requirement for expeditious enactment. Many thou-
funds will be used by the President for disaster assistance to Lebanon
sands of Guatemalans are now without proper shelter and without ade-
to the extent possible.
quate supplies. Their suffering will increase if help does not come be-
COST ESTIMATE
fore Guatemala's rainy season which begins sometime in May.
The relief programs proposed under this legislation focus mainly on
Pursuant to clause 7 of Rule XIII of the House Rules, the committee
quick assistance of practical value to earthquake victims this spring,
estimates that the costs involved in this legislation will total $25
before the rains come. The programs will provide materials for self-
million. This is the amount requested by the executive branch and
help shelter building and community facilities, open a vital highway
recommended by the committee after its examination of the request.
artery, and undertake other urgent projects.
Because of the emergency nature of the situation, most of the sum
By the same token, the disaster assistance authorization in this legis-
is expected to be obligated soon after the enactment of appropriations.
lation is limited to relief and rehabilitation and is not to be used for
Outlays are estimated at $14 million in fiscal 1976, $5 million in the
economic development programs.
transition quarter, and $6 million in fiscal 1977. As a one-time relief
The committee has emphasized legislatively, however, that even in
measure, it will not incur costs in succeeding fiscal years.
the process of emergency housing rehabilitation, it is desirable to use
seismic resistance materials to the maximum extent possible. It has
STATEMENTS REQUIRED BY RULE XI(1) (3) OF THE HOUSE RULES
done SO in its section 5 amendment to the bill, with the goal of limiting
the extent of deaths, injuries, and destruction in future earthquakes.
(A) OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The committee also has examined reports that disaster assistance has
been diverted to the benefit of privileged people or into rural areas to
The Guatemala earthquake disaster situation was the subject of
oversight by the full Committee on International Relations and by the
H.R. 891
H.R. 891
6
Subcommittee on Resources, Food, and Energy both before and after
the receipt of the executive request. Witnesses were called for testi-
mony, and staff made an on-the-scene survey.
(B) BUDGET AUTHORITY
This bill does not create any new budget authority.
(C) CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE AND COMPARISON
No estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Con-
gressional Budget Office under section 403 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974 has been received by the committee.
(D) COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS SUMMARY
No oversight findings and recommendations directed to this bill
have been received from the Committee on Government Operations
under clause 2(b) (2) of rule X.
INFLATIONARY IMPACT STATEMENT
This legislation authorizes the expenditure of less than one hundreth
of one percent of the administration's budget for fiscal 1976, and is
not likely to have any identifiable inflationary impact.
H.R. 891
94TH CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPORT
2d Session
No. 94-1009
GUATEMALA RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ACT OF
1976
APRIL 6, 1976.-Ordered to be printed
Mr. DIGGS, from the committee of conference,
submitted the following
CONFERENCE REPORT
[To accompany S. 3056]
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two
Houses on the amendments of the House to the bill (S. 3056) to
amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide emergency
relief, rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance to the people who
have been victimized by the recent earthquakes in Guatemala, having
met, after full and free conference, have agreed to recommend and
do recommend to their respective Houses as follows:
That the Senate recede from its disagreement to the amendment of
the House to the text of the bill and agree to the same with an amend-
ment as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the House amend-
ment insert the following:
That this Act may be cited as the "Guatemala Relief and Rehabilita-
tion Act of 1976".
SEC. 2. Chapter 9 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:
"SEC. 495A. GUATEMALA RELIEF AND REHABILITATION.-(a) The
President is authorized to provide assistance, on such terms and con-
ditions as he may determine, for the relief and rehabilitation of the
people who have been victimized by the recent earthquakes in Guate-
mala. There is authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry
out the purposes of this section $25,000,000 for the fiscal year 1976,
which amount is authorized to remain available until expended, except
that not more than $4,000,000 of this amount shall be available for
repairs to the Puerto Barrios highway in Guatemala. Assistance under
this section shall be provided in accordance with the policy and gen-
eral authority of section 491 of this Act. Obligations incurred prior
to the enactment of this section against other appropriations or ac-
counts for the purpose of providing relief and rehabilitation assistance
57-006 0
2
to the people of Guatemala may be charged to the appropriations
authorized under this section.
"(b) Assistance made available under this section shall be distri-
buted to the maximum extent practicable through United States volun-
organizations. tary relief agencies and other international relief and development
JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE
(c) In order to limit the extent of deaths, injuries, and destruction
COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE
in future earthquakes, assistance provided under this section which
is used for the construction of housing in the Republic of Guatemala
The managers on the part of the House and the Senate at the con-
shall, to the maximum extent possible, be used for housing which is
ference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendments
constructed of seismic resistant materials or which will otherwise mini-
of the House to the bill (S. 3056) to amend the Foreign Assistance
mize the danger of injury to occupants during future earthquakes;
Act of 1961 to provide emergency relief, rehabilitation, and human-
and the President should encourage the Government of the Republic
itarian assistance to the people who have been victimized by the recent
of Guatemala to promote the use of such materials.
earthquakes in Guatemala, submit the following joint statement to the
"(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amount au-
House and the Senate in explanation of the effect of the action agreed
thorized to be appropriated in subsection (a) of this section may be
upon by the managers and recommended in the accompanying confer-
used only for the purposes specified in this section. The authority con-
ence report:
tained in section 610(a) of this Act may not be used to transfer funds
The House amendment to the text of the bill struck out all of the
made available under this section.
Senate bill after the enacting clause and inserted a substitute text.
'(e) Not later than sixty days after the date of enactment of ap-
The Senate recedes from its disagreement to the amendment of the
propriations to carry out this section, and at the end of each quarter
House with an amendment which is a substitute for the Senate bill
thereafter, the President shall transmit a report to the Committees on
and the House amendment. The differences between the Senate bill,
Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate and to the
the House amendment, and the substitute agreed to in conference are
Speaker of the House of Representatives on the programing and
noted below, except for clerical corrections, conforming changes made
obligations of funds under this section.".
necessary by agreements reached by the conferees, and minor drafting
And the House agree to the same.
and clarifying changes.
That the House recede from its amendment to the title of the Senate
bill.
TITLE OF THE LEGISLATION
THOMAS E. MORGAN,
The title of the Senate bill cited the legislation as an amendment to
CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI,
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
CHARLES C. Drogs,
The title of the House amendment, which did not amend the For-
ROBERT N. C. NIX,
eign Assistance Act, did not contain such a citation.
STEPHEN J. SOLARZ,
The House receded, consistent with the agreement of the committee
WILLIAM S. BROOMFIELD,
on conference to formulate the measure as an amendment to the For-
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN,
Managers on the Part of the House.
eign Assistance Act.
SHORT TITLE
JOHN SPARKMAN,
GALE W. McGEE,
The Senate bill provided that the short title of the Act would be
HUBERT H. HUMPHREY,
the "Guatemala Relief and Rehabilitation Act of 1976."
CLIFFORD P. CASE,
The House amendment provided that the short title of the Act
J. JAVITS,
would be the "Guatemala Relief Act of 1976."
Managers on the Part of the Senate.
The House receded.
FORM OF THE ACT
The Senate bill amended the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
The House amendment provided for a free-standing statute.
The House receded.
(3)
H.R. 1009
H.R. 1009
4
5
LIMITATION ON THE PUERTO BARRIOS HIGHWAY
Quarterly reporting periods should begin with the succeeding quarter
which begins July 1, 1976, and may be terminated upon the expendi-
The House amendment contained a $4 million limitation on the
ture of all funds made available under the act.
amount of funds made available under the Act which could be used
for rebuilding the Puerto Barrios highway in Guatemala.
THOMAS E. MORGAN,
The Senate bill contained no comparable provision.
CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI,
The Senate receded.
CHARLES C. DIGGS,
ROBERT N. C. Nix,
POLICY GUIDANCE
STEPHEN J. SOLARZ,
The Senate bill contained mandatory language requiring that the
WILLIAM S. BROOMFIELD,
use of the funds authorized be governed by the provisions of Section
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN,
491 of the Foreign Assistance Act, which concerns disaster assistance.
Managers on the Part of the House.
The House bill stated that assistance under the Act "may" be pro-
JOHN SPARKMAN,
vided under Section 491, but was not mandatory.
GALE W. McGEE,
The committee of conference agreed on mandatory language.
HUBERT H. HUMPHREY,
CLIFFORD P. CASE,
"SENSE OF CONGRESS" LANGUAGE
J. JAVITS,
Managers on the Part of the Senate.
The Senate bill contained "sense of Congress" language concerning
the humanitarian tradition of the United States.
o
The House amendment contained no comparable provision.
The Senate receded, since the language of its provision was very
similar to that which already is in Section 491 of the Foreign Assist-
ance Act.
SEISMIC-RESISTANT MATERIALS
The House amendment contained a provision to encourage the use
of seismic-resistant materials in the re-building of housing funded
from the Act.
The Senate bill contained no comparable provision.
The Senate receded.
TRANSFERS UNDER SECTION 610(a)
The Senate bill contained a prohibition designed to prohibit the
transfer of any funds made available under the Act to other program
accounts under the provisions of Section 610(a) of the Foreign As-
sistance Act.
The House amendment contained no comparable provision.
The House receded.
EXECUTIVE REPORTING REQUIREMENT
The Senate bill provided for an initial report from the Executive
Branch on the expenditure of funds under the Act to be submitted to
the Congress within 30 days.
The House bill provided for such reporting within 90 days.
The committee of conference agreed on reporting within 60 days.
It is the intention of the committee that the initial report should be
submitted 60 days after enactment of the appropriation legislation.
H.R. 1009
H.R. 1009
94TH CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPORT
2d Session
No. 94-901
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 12046
MARCH 15, 1976.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed
Mr. YOUNG of Georgia, from the Committee on Rules,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany H. Res. 1089]
The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration House
Resolution 1089, by a nonrecord vote, report the same to the House
with the recommendation that the resolution do pass.
57-008
S. 3056
Ainety-fourth Congress of the United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the nineteenth day of January,
one thousand nine hundred and seventy-six
An Act
To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide emergency relief, reha-
bilitation, and humanitarian assistance to the people who have been victimized
by the recent earthquakes in Guatemala.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may
be cited as the "Guatemala Relief and Rehabilitation Act of 1976".
SEC. 2. Chapter 9 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:
"SEC. 495A. GUATEMALA RELIEF AND REHABILITATION.-(a) The
President is authorized to provide assistance, on such terms and con-
ditions as he may determine, for the relief and rehabilitation of the
people who have been victimized by the recent earthquakes in Guate-
mala. There is authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry
out the purposes of this section $25,000,000 for the fiscal year 1976,
which amount is authorized to remain available until expended, except
that not more than $4,000,000 of this amount shall be available for
repairs to the Puerto Barrios highway in Guatemala. Assistance
under this section shall be provided in accordance with the policy
and general authority of section 491 of this Act. Obligations incurred
prior to the enactment of this section against other appropriations
or accounts for the purpose of providing relief and rehabilitation
assistance to the people of Guatemala may be charged to the appro-
priations authorized under this section.
(b) Assistance made available under this section shall be distrib-
uted to the maximum extent practicable through United States
voluntary relief agencies and other international relief and develop-
ment organizations.
"(c) In order to limit the extent of deaths, injuries, and destruc-
tion in future earthquakes, assistance provided under this section
which is used for the construction of housing in the Republic of Guate-
mala shall, to the maximum extent possible, be used for housing which
is constructed of seismic resistant materials or which will otherwise
minimize the danger of injury to occupants during future earthquakes;
and the President should encourage the Government of the Republic
of Guatemala to promote the use of such materials.
"(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amount au-
thorized to be appropriated in subsection (a) of this section may be
used only for the purposes specified in this section. The authority con-
tained in section 610(a) of this Act may not be used to transfer
funds made available under this section.
S. 3056-2
"(e) Not later than sixty days after the date of enactment of appro-
priations to carry out this section, and at the end of each quarter
thereafter, the President shall transmit a report to the Committees on
Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate and to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives on the programing and
obligations of funds under this section.".
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.
April 14, 1976
Dear Mr. Director:
The following bills were received at the White
House on April 14th:
S. 1941
V
S. 3056
Please let the President have reports and
recommendations as to the approval of these
bills as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Linder
Chief Executive Clerk
The Honorable James T. Lynn
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C.