THOUSAND OAKS : Beilenson to Lead Congress Coalition

Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills) has been selected co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Population and Development for the 103rd Congress.

The coalition was founded in 1985 to act as an informal clearinghouse on family issues. It had 52 members in the last session of Congress and is expected to add more shortly.

Beilenson represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes most of Thousand Oaks and portions of the San Fernando Valley.

Beilenson has long been concerned about population growth, particularly in impoverished Third World countries. He said he would try to expand the group’s membership and work closely with House Republicans as well as Democrats and the Clinton Administration.

“The most urgent crisis facing the world is the rapid growth rate of the human population, with its dire consequences for the environment, food supplies, migration and political stability,” Beilenson said in a news release.

He said the coalition will “push for more U. S. funding for voluntary family planning services in developing countries.”

Beilenson was selected by the 52 coalition members from the last Congress. The other co-chair will be Rep. Constance A. Morella (R-Md.).