114 STAT. 274 PUBLIC LAW 106-200—MAY 18, 2000 (3) Eighty-three percent of the estimated 11,700,000 deaths from HIV/AIDS worldwide have been in sub-Saharan Africa. (4) The HIV/AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa is weakening the structure of families and societies. (5)(A) The HIV/AIDS crisis threatens the future of the workforce in sub-Saharan Africa. (B) Studies show that HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa most severely affects individuals between the ages of 15 and 49—the age group that provides the most support for the economies of sub-Saharan African countries. (6) Clear evidence demonstrates that HIV/AIDS is destructive to the economies of sub-Saharan African countries. (7) Sustained economic development is critical to creating the public and private sector resources in sub-Saharan Africa necessary to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. (b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS. —I t is the sense of the Congress that— (1) addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa should be a central component of United States foreign policy with respect to sub-Saharan Africa; (2) significant progress needs to be made in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa in order to sustain a mutually beneficial trade relationship between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries; and (3) the HIV/AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa is a global threat that merits further attention through greatly expanded public, private, and joint public-private efforts, and through appropriate United States legislation. 19 USC 3740. SEC. 130. STUDY ON IMPROVING AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES. (a) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with American Land Grant Colleges and Universities and notfor-profit international organizations, is authorized to conduct a 2-year study on ways to improve the flow of American farming techniques and practices to African farmers. The study shall include an examination of ways of improving or utilizing— (1) knowledge of insect and sanitation procedures; (2) modern farming and soil conservation techniques; (3) modern farming equipment (including maintaining the equipment); (4) marketing crop yields to prospective purchasers; and (5) crop maximization practices. Deadline. The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit the study to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives not later than September 30, 2001. (b) LAND GRANT COLLEGES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT INSTITU- TIONS.— In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture is encouraged to consult with American Land Grant Colleges and not-for-profit international organizations that have firsthand knowledge of current African farming practices. 19 USC 3741. SEC. 131. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING EFFORTS TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION IN AFRICA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. (a) FINDINGS. — The Congress finds that— (1) desertification affects approximately one-sixth of the world's population and one-quarter of the total land area;
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