[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE PRESIDENT'S HISTORIC VISIT TO AFRICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important, as we 
watch the historic visit of the President to the Continent of Africa, 
to be able to put into perspective this very important trip for it 
highlights many issues. For many, it was thought that this was a trip 
to talk about trade and economic development and opportunities of 
partnership on the issues of trade and economic development between the 
United States and sub-Saharan Africa, but we are finding that there is 
much more that can occur and that will occur, and I think it is vital 
for the countries that the President is visiting to be singled out for 
their individual merits and as well to acknowledge the problems and the 
future efforts that will be needed to enhance Africa's international 
position and as well its friendship and partnership with the United 
States of America.
  I would like to personally acknowledge my appreciation for my own 
hometown newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, which has taken a great 
interest not only in the President's visit but the whole new 
opportunities that may be available, not only for this Nation but for 
Texas and Houston. They had a very large article on the issue of trade 
in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, explaining its viability and 
possibilities for large corporations but particularly small- and 
medium-sized businesses. They offered and editorialized their support 
for the African Growth and Opportunity Act and, as well, as I said 
earlier, they have a reporter from the Chronicle traveling with the 
President. Likewise, one of my local television stations, ABC Capital 
Channel 13, is as well viewing this as an important effort.
  But what do we expect to see? Many of the news footage yesterday 
showed the President warmly received by the President of Ghana who has 
been reelected democratically and has shown an economic recovery in 
that country that competes well internationally. We saw a crowd that 
was, in its excitement, pushing toward the President, and I hope that 
we understood that his reaction was to protect those who were being 
crushed in the front and no other reaction other than to recognize how 
well he was being received.
  But do we realize the leaps of faith and success that Botswana has 
experienced, another country that he will visit, having had democracy 
for 31 years? As long as it has been an independent country, it has 
been democratic. It has had few Presidents. The economics of the 
country is amazing. Housing is there, but yet it has a severe and 
serious HIV problem, and when I visited in December they offered to say 
that there were individuals who have seen six members of their family 
buried due to HIV. Uganda, who has implemented an economic program to 
increase the employment of the underemployed and unemployed, and yet 
has some problems which we will work on and need to expose as relates 
to the rebels' action in parts of that country in doing heinous acts; 
but the President stands against that, and we must emphasize human 
rights along with his visit to Rwanda.
  As I listened to my colleagues talk about the Balkans, human rights 
violations and tragic genocide and ethnic cleansing are going on in 
Africa, and those of us who believe in human rights must stand up 
against it. It is important for the President to be in Rwanda to talk 
about these extreme abuses and the tragedies against families and 
children. It is all right for us to see that, but we must see that in 
the context of the whole Africa.
  And that is why it is so very important as we visit this continent 
that the President also visits and interacts in South Africa and visits 
with Nelson Mandela, the father of Africa, who through his peaceful 
existence for 27 years of incarceration helped bring about the end of 
apartheid, and now South Africa has its position as one who can lead 
Africa in the course of economic development and human rights.
  Then the President's visit to Senegal is extremely important as he 
realizes the tragedy of slavery. I hope that this will generate a 
healing process, and I hope that many who will view this will 
acknowledge the importance of this trip, Mr. Speaker, and that we will 
work together to heal any racial divide and, as well, bring us together 
around issues like an apology to African Americans because we have seen 
the connection and the viability and the positive relationship.

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