[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS MADE AT THE 8TH LEON H. 
                  SULLIVAN SUMMIT IN ARUSHA, TANZANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the work and 
accomplishments of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation. The Sullivan 
Foundation held its eighth summit this past June and was hosted by 
Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete.
  Delegates and celebrities from Africa, the United States and the 
Caribbean were present for this landmark event, including NBA star 
Kelenna Azubuike, community leader Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, CNN News 
anchor TJ Holmes, and actor Chris Tucker.
  The purpose of this summit was to facilitate positive change in 
Tanzania. This goal was not only met, but surpassed. Contributions from 
organizations such as; the Iovino Family Foundation, the Maasai Women's 
Development Organization and Books for Africa have brought about the 
ability to create sustainable development and education programs 
throughout Tanzania.
  I would like to recognize the late Leon H. Sullivan for his 
unwavering commitment to changing the standards of living in Africa. It 
was his contribution that has allowed for the Sullivan Foundation's 
success today.

 8th Leon H. Sullivan Summit Sets Historical Landmark: ``Mother of All 
            Summits'' Leaves Memorable Footprint in Tanzania

       June 18, 2008 (Arusha, Tanzania)--In what was called the 
     ``Mother of all Summits,'' the eighth edition of the Leon H. 
     Sullivan Summit hosted by President Jakaya Kikwete this June 
     brought more than 4,000 participants to the beautiful 
     landscape of Arusha, Tanzania. By the last day of plenary and 
     workshop sessions, what was promised to be the ``Summit of a 
     Lifetime'' turned out to be what many may consider a week of 
     transformation for Tanzania.
       ``The spirit of my father has definitely moved through this 
     year's Summit and I am truly inspired by all of the selfless 
     displays of generosity and support that were shown during the 
     week. These types of connections, the ones you can see and 
     touch, are what the Summits are all about. This Summit really 
     made a difference in the lives of others. No one can deny 
     that.''
       With forty-seven nations represented, the spirit of 
     Reverend Sullivan was alive and well during the week-long 
     conference. On the first day alone, the Iovino Family 
     Foundation gave a $20,000 donation to the Maasai Women's 
     Development Organization (MWEDO), which aims to provide self-
     sufficiency and increased access to public services and 
     education; Books for Africa gave an initial contribution of 
     40,000 textbooks and later pledged to provide an additional 
     $100,000 in textbooks for various schools throughout Arusha; 
     More than 1,200 Olyset mosquito nets were supplied to the 
     most endemic villages in Arusha along with school supplies 
     for the Manyatta Village Primary School; Frank Ski, an 
     Atlanta-based radio personality and youth advocate purchased 
     and delivered school supplies to children in local Tanzanian 
     villages, while other attendees sponsored and executed 
     additional independent outreach projects of their own to 
     directly benefit and impact the education and well-being of 
     Tanzanian men, women, and children.
       In addition, NBA player Kelenna Azubuike of the Golden 
     State Warriors adopted an orphanage, (the Nora Childcare 
     Trust) and donated 40 pairs of brand new NBA basketball shoes 
     and shirts to the Tanzanian Basketball Federation, of which 
     Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete is a member. The Myungsung 
     Presbyterian Baptist Church, using state of the art drilling 
     equipment was able to provide clean drinking water to a 
     community of 12,000 people in Arusha. The state of the art 
     drill used to locate and extract clean drinking water from 
     deep within the earth, is valued at more than $500,000.
       But perhaps the most moving and memorable gesture of the 
     Summit, came from Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, who, during the 
     state dinner made a public call to guests to help raise at 
     least $25,000 to improve the educational facilities of 
     Tanzania's schools. Within thirty minutes the delegation, led 
     by Summit Co-Chairmen Ambassador Carlton Masters and 
     Ambassador Andrew Young, Sullivan Foundation President and 
     CEO Hope Masters, over $50,000 from individual donations 
     ranging from as little as $5 to $5,000 was raised. Actor 
     Chris Tucker and CNN news anchor TJ. Holmes were the first to 
     make significant contributions.
       By the Summit's end, delegates were able to wind down and 
     relax with a breathtaking trip to Zanzibar Island. It was 
     there that delegates were able to reflect and acknowledge a 
     truly beautiful part of Africa that many admitted they didn't 
     even know existed.
       ``The beauty and history of Zanzibar was captivating to me 
     and others alike,'' stated Nichet Smith, Director of Public 
     Relations for the Sullivan Foundation. ``Moments like those I 
     have captured and will hold onto forever. Zanzibar is 
     definitely a place that everyone should see in their 
     lifetime.''
       Remaining forever committed to the goals of the Summit--to 
     provide a platform for Africa's political, economic, and 
     cultural leaders, the Sullivan Foundation has completed yet 
     another piece of the ever evolving bridge of hope, change and 
     inspiration towards the vision and legacy of an extraordinary 
     man, The Reverend Leon Howard Sullivan. For more information 
     about the 2008 Leon H. Sullivan Summit, please visit www.the-
     sullivanfoundation.org/summit or contact Nichet Smith 
     202.736.

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