[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF SHARED INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTH 
                                 AFRICA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and praise the 
work of Shared Interest for their continued encouragement and 
investment in black-owned businesses in South Africa.
  Shared Interest is a New York-based international social investment 
fund that has worked tirelessly since 1994 to mobilize U.S. investors 
to provide the necessary capital to foster the development of black-
owned organizations, small businesses and agricultural cooperatives in 
South Africa. Undoubtedly, the work of Shared Interest has provided 
many struggling black South African people with the funds required to 
create a successful business. Shared Interest took its $11 million 
guaranteed fund and was able to successfully leverage credit of more 
than $100 million. Shared Interest has gone beyond simply providing 
capital to small black businesses in need. The investment fund has 
taken on a philanthropic role in the community by honoring the work of 
fellow business men and women in South Africa. Shared Interest has 
recognized many people including the Honorable Albie Sachs, Debra Lee, 
Jerry Dunfrey and Nadine Hack for their contributions both business and 
philanthropic in nature to building a better South Africa.
  As a result of their continued initiatives to promote increased 
business and human rights standards, I hope that many more Americans 
will recognize the tireless efforts of Shared Interest and the need for 
further investment in minority owned and operated business within South 
Africa.

                          ____________________