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PRESS RELEASE
CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE MEETS WITH U.N. AMBASSADORS TO DISCUSS U.S.-AFIRCA RELATIONS
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, First Vice Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Democratic Leader, Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and other members of the CBC met with United Nation African Ambassadors. The Representatives and Ambassadors discussed strengthening the working relationship between the United States and Africa.
After the meeting Congresswoman Jackson Lee said, "The Ambassadors from the many African nations that were here today have been the most dedicated and passionate advocates for the continent of Africa. They have come to us with concrete plans on how to improve their respective countries. The members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Leader Pelosi look forward to working with them to execute those plans."
The U.N. delegation included Ambassadors from Cameroon, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania. The Ambassadors are in Washington for several days of meetings.
Several key issues were discussed during the meeting, including U.S.-U.N. relations, trade opportunities, economic development, and health issues in Africa. The CBC is committed to working with African nations to strengthen their economies, improve their health care systems, and increase trade opportunities. Members of the CBC also plan on traveling to Africa in the near future.
CBC Chairman Cummings said, "It was a special honor to meet with the distinguished delegation of Ambassadors from Africa. We had an excellent meeting where we found many areas of agreement."
"The two most important issues we face in Africa are ending the violence that ruins lives and tears apart so many countries and creating governmental stability that will allow countries to flourish and to take part in the global economy," said Congresswoman Jackson Lee. "The Congressional Black Caucus is reaching out to communities across America to meet constituents in the districts in which they live. Our outreach does not end there, however. We will continue to reach beyond our borders to collaborate with other nations to improve the world in which we all share," Congresswoman Jackson Lee continued.
"What the Congressional Black Caucus can do on Capitol Hill, no one else can do both for America and for Africa," said delegation leader Arthur Mbanefo, U.N. Ambassador to Nigeria.
CBC members also in attendance at the meeting included: Representatives William Lacy Clay (D-MO), John Conyers (D-MI), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), and Diane Watson (D-CA).
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