[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1180-E1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DEATH OF AMBASSADOR OMER EISSA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 1997

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to former Ambassador 
Omer Eissa, who died in a tragic automobile accident while visiting 
Sudan on May 20. Ambassador Eissa served with great distinction as 
Sudan's Ambassador to Washington when Gaafar Mohammed Numeiry was 
President of Sudan. Ambassador Eissa was a great friend of the United 
States, and many Members of Congress had the great pleasure of knowing 
him. I will always be grateful to Ambassador Eissa for the hospitality 
that he extended to the Dance Theater of Harlem during several of their 
visits to Washington.
  Ambassador Eissa had a long and diversified public service career in 
Sudan. As a member of the Sudanese Parliament, he was chairman of the 
Committee on Housing and Education. He was also a member of the Blue 
Ribbon Committee on Refugees. Subsequently, he was appointed as a 
member of President Numeiry's cabinet, which he later left to become 
Ambassador to the United States, serving concurrently as nonresident 
Ambassador to Canada and Mexico. While in Washington, Ambassador Eissa 
served as dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors as well as dean of 
the Council of African Ambassadors.
  After the coup that removed President Numeiry from office in 1985, 
Ambassador Eissa made his home near Washington and became an American 
citizen. I wish to extend my most heartfelt condolences to his wife and 
children, who can be very proud of what Ambassador Eissa has done for 
the people of Sudan.


[[Page E1181]]




                                          Thomas B. Evans, Jr.

                                     Washington, DC, May 26, 1997.
     Hon. Charles B. Rangel,
     Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Charlie, A good friend of mine, Omer Eissa, recently 
     died in a tragic automobile accident in Sudan where he was 
     visiting a brother who was very ill.
       Omer was always a great friend of the United States and 
     hosted Arthur Mitchell and Dance Theatre of Harlem at the 
     Sudanese Embassy on several occasions. You may recall the 
     time we sat in the Presidential Box with the Reagans to watch 
     Dance Theatre perform at the Kennedy Center.
       I believe Omer's wife would very much appreciate it if you 
     included some remarks about him in the Congressional Record 
     (a draft statement is attached).
       Let's get together one of these days when Alma and Mary 
     Page are in town. She joins me in sending our warmest regards 
     to you both.
           Sincerely,
                                                              Tom.

     

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