Congresswoman Johnson Offers Remarks at the 17^th Annual Women Ambassadors Conference

Washington, DC- (Thursday, April 19, 2012) — Yesterday, Congresswoman Johnson hosted the 17^th Annual Women Ambassadors Conference. The conference was held in conjunction with Howard University and the Women Ambassadors Foundation, and focused on the role of women in peacemaking efforts, international diplomatic challenges, and conflict resolution.

“When  President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia was running for office , I asked if  she would eliminate child soldiers under her regime, if she won.  As President she ended the practice of using children to wage war in Liberia.  Women ambassadors and women leaders are necessary and essential principals towards ending war causalities and creating peace building initiatives across the globe.  No mother raises a child only to be killed in battle, and women have a particular understanding of the atrocities of war and negotiating peaceful resolutions,” stated Congresswoman Johnson. 

Congresswoman Johnson also noted, “We need to find alternatives to war, learn to respect each other’s differences, and talk through conflicts to achieve resolutions.”

This year’s theme was “People, Democracy, and Resources in a World in Transition.”   Women Ambassadors from Zambia, Senegal, Ecuador, Finland, as well as a representative from the U.S. Department of State participated in the panel discussions.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek,Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.