[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 137 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF AFRICA WEEK AND THE AFRICAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2001

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the African Cultural 
Exchange on the 8th Annual 2001 Celebration of Africa Week held at the 
Hilton University of Houston, Texas, from September 27-October 4, 2001.
  The late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, established 
the Africa Week program in 1954 to promote onward progress and global 
unity towards social, economic and cultural awareness. Dr. Kwame 
Nkrumah encouraged people of African descent all over the world to 
implement an annual Africa Week event.
  Africa Week 2001 is organized by the Houston based Africa Cultural 
Exchange, Inc. (a nonprofit 50lc3), in collaboration with the 
International Guardian Newspapers, and the African News Digest. This 
event is supported and co-sponsored by the City of Houston, Alpha Phi 
Beta fraternity, and the Black Student Union of the University of 
Houston. In attendance this Africa Week were many members of the 
academic community, elected officials, community leaders, foreign 
embassy officials, youth, and elders all of whom are members of various 
ethnic backgrounds. Africa Week has become the symbol of international 
diversity, and this year's honorary guest and keynote speaker, 
exemplify that diversity.
  The Honorary Guest for the 2001 Africa Week Celebration was His 
Majesty Rukirabasija Agutamba Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, Omukama of 
Bunyoro Kitara Uganda. His Majesty Rukirabasija Agutamba Solomon 
Gafabusa Igura I has made many valuable contributions to the world 
community through his unselfish public service. The Keynote Speaker for 
the 2001 Africa Week Celebration is United States Senator Kay Bailey 
Hutchinson of Texas.
  Again, I want to congratulate The African Cultural Exchange and all 
of its collaborative partners on the 8th annual Africa Week. I wish 
them great success in the future, and thank them for their valuable 
service to the global community.

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