From Power to Purpose, by Sam Brownback: on Foreign Policy

Many Christians care deeply about what happens to Israel

I said, "Well, it's not only the Jews who care about Israel. Christians care about Israel, too." Then somebody asked, "Why on earth would the Christians care what happens to Israel?" I replied, "Many Christians care deeply about what happens to Israel and the Jewish people." Honestly, I was surprised by the remarks of my colleagues. They kept asking what possible reason the Christian community could have for caring about Israel. I think it particularly sparked an interest by Madeline Albright. She and I have worked together on several projects since then.

Several years later, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel and speak in the Knesset, their parliament, to the Christian Alliance Caucus. As a Christian, I wanted the people of Israel to know that the Christians care very much for Israel.

20 million AIDS orphans in Africa, & more orphans worldwide

When I looked at those beautiful, innocent faces, I said, "I can't do everything, but I can do something." Mary and I both felt a deep calling to adopt, and after we researched what was involved, we made arrangements to adopt Mark in Guatemala and Jenna in China. I highly recommend it to everybody interested. A child is a precious gift, and an adopted child is a gift to the entire family.

Passed the Sudan Peace Act to end civil war and slavery

The entire issue captured me. It seemed impossible that something so ugly could still be going on in the world, but it was going on. The Sudan Peace Act was passed by Congress on Sept. 6, 2001.

Aid to Africa needs accountability or people don't get help

Millions of dollars had been spent in Malawi, and the people were still in deep poverty and dependency. There was no doubt in my mind that we ought to help, but nobody wants to be throwing money down a rat hole or stuffing it into a dictator's pockets. We've done that, so our model has to be different.

Until now, government has apparently been content to supply cash to third world countries with little accountability. This new model is much more targeted and has an accountability structure. I think this is a much better approach than the model that government has used in the past.

Steered Silk Road Strategy Act through Congress

I have traveled in most of those countries several times, meeting with the leaders, forming the Silk Road Caucus, and building strategies for ongoing relationships. I could see that these countries were going to be making a choice. [Many] were trying to pull them into the Islamic world. The leaders of the countries were old communists, and they didn't want to be controlled by radical Islam; but at the same time, they didn't want to be controlled by Russia.