Cairo: Don't ignore lost message

How refreshing to hear a member of Congress speak about the importance of female education in the context of reducing population growth in the article ``Lost Message From Cairo: Educate Young Women in US,'' Sept. 23.

The media focus on abortion detracted from larger problems and their solutions. The author, Rep. Constance Morella (R) of Maryland, introduced legislation that would have shifted funding within foreign aid to put a higher priority on international goals for female health and literacy as well as for family planning. Most of her colleagues failed to support this effort.

Will the population conference make a difference? The answer lies in two questions: Did her colleagues on Capitol Hill learn anything from Cairo? Will elected and appointed policymakers have the courage to act on what they know? Chuck Woolery, Rockville, Md. Director, The Alliance for Child Survival

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