[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 38 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H1768-H1769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL 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, the last couple of days I had 
the honor of joining the President of the United States in a very 
historic visit to the continent of Africa. For those of us who care 
very much for this emerging relationship, let me applaud the President 
and the First Lady for making the larger statement, the viability of 
Africa as a world partner, both socially and as well as economically.
  The President's journey to Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, 
Botswana and Senegal, albeit a small portion of the 53 nations of the 
continent and certainly of sub-Saharan Africa, counting 48, was not 
only symbolic, but meaningful and filled with substance for the world 
as well as this Nation.
  The coverage by our media that followed and saw fit to respond and 
report on this story overall symbolizes the changing attitude about 
Africa. The front page or cover story on Time Magazine and the 
commentators from local news around the Nation showed our country 
willing to learn more about Africa and willing to accept Africa for 
what it is, a brilliant continent, rich in history and great in its 
future.
  It was important that my local station, Channel 13, traveled all the 
way to South Africa to cover this historic journey. My local paper, the 
Houston Chronicle, carried a series day after day on the President's 
visit and the importance of its opening the doors of opportunity and 
economic opportunity as far away as Houston, Texas.
  I was very pleased to have the opportunity one on one to discuss in 
meetings with business persons, both Americans doing business in South 
Africa and Africa, and African companies who wanted to extend the 
opportunity to do business in the United States.
  I was encouraged by the attitude. I was greatly encouraged by the 
interest in Houston's port, and as well the noted recognition of the 
amount of business already done with our Houston port and the 
availability of doing more business with our port.
  I was very much involved in discussing the ability of capital 
financing for joint ventures between businesses in the United States, 
particularly in Houston, particularly minority and small businesses, 
and South African businesses, and talking with business persons and 
owners of companies in South Africa that would provide for the 
financing of many of our small and minority businesses to engage in the 
right kind of successful business opportunities.
  I am likewise very much encouraged by the potential opportunity for 
direct air routes to West Africa from Houston and other parts in the 
United States, and as well the recognition by the United States in 
making sure that our foreign policy is not trade instead of aid, but 
trade and aid, that we have the ability to respond to the great need of 
infrastructure, building and rebuilding, as well as the great health 
needs, particularly involved in the HIV ravaging epidemic in Africa.
  Let me also pay special tribute to Alma Brown, who joined us in 
celebrating the opening of the Ron Brown Commercial Center in 
Johannesburg, South Africa. Her eloquent words and tribute to her late 
husband, Secretary Ron Brown, highlighted the importance of his legacy 
and message, joined by President Clinton and Secretary Daley and 
Congressman Rangel, that we all must be committed to economic 
enhancement.
  But needless to say, we must recognize the doors that were opened by 
Ron Brown's commitment to Africa and recognition of the kind of partner 
it can be on the world stage.
  Let me say that this was not only an economic trip or a trip that 
would promote businesses and cooperative efforts between Africa and the 
United States of America, but it was one for social justice. With the 
visiting of Robin Island as well as the visiting of Soweto and 
Johannesburg, acknowledging the killing of young Mr. Peterson, 12 years 
old, in a 1976 uprising against apartheid, we knew full well the 
commonality between those of us of African American decent and our 
African brothers and sisters in the fight for social justice.
  It was quite appropriate for our President to speak up eloquently on 
what slavery did to both continents and how in fact it enslaved all of 
us and how wonderful it was that we must move forward in the future, to 
never be shackled again by human bondage.

                              {time}  2300

  With that in mind it was very important that we spoke in Rwanda, as I 
close, Mr. Speaker, about the abuses in Sudan and other places in 
Africa

[[Page H1769]]

against human rights. We must stand for human rights around the world.
  All in all, Mr. Speaker, this was an outstanding effort to raise up 
the bonding between Africa and the United States, and I believe it is 
only a start and we must continue to work together to make it a 
reality.

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