[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 117 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S4910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 522--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE SUPPORTING 
  THE U.S.-AFRICA LEADERS SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C. FROM 
                        AUGUST 4 THROUGH 6, 2014

  Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Flake, Mr. Menendez, and Mr. Corker) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 522

       Whereas the United States will convene the first U.S.-
     Africa Leaders Summit from August 4 through August 6, 2014, 
     featuring a congressional reception welcoming African heads 
     of state, the U.S.-Africa Business Forum, the African Growth 
     and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, and dialogue sessions 
     between Africa leaders and President Barack Obama on 
     investing in Africa's future, promoting peace and regional 
     stability, and governing for the next generation;
       Whereas the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit will be the largest 
     event held between the United States Government and African 
     heads of state and governments;
       Whereas the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit will build on the 
     President's trip to Africa in the summer of 2013 and will 
     strengthen ties between the United States and one of the most 
     dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world;
       Whereas the United States Government has built strong and 
     enduring partnerships with African heads of state bilaterally 
     and through the United Nations, African Union, and African 
     regional institutions;
       Whereas the United States Government has demonstrated its 
     commitment to Africa's development and growth through 
     resources, legislation, economic relationships, and 
     initiatives, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act 
     (19 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.), Power Africa, Feed the Future, 
     Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts, and other efforts 
     led by the Department of State, the United States Agency for 
     International Development, the Overseas Private Investment 
     Corporation, the Department of Commerce, and other agencies 
     of the United States Government;
       Whereas there are 10 authorized United Nations peacekeeping 
     operations in Africa with over 94,000 United Nations 
     peacekeepers working to promote peace and stability for over 
     131,000,000 people across the continent, in addition to 
     additional missions led by the African Union, with United 
     States and international support and training;
       Whereas the United States has served as the global leader 
     in investments and innovations in health across Africa, 
     contributing significant resources to improvements in health 
     over the past two decades through United States-led programs 
     such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 
     (PEPFAR), the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the 
     Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI);
       Whereas, through its investments in health across 16 
     priority countries in Africa over the last two decades, the 
     United States Government has contributed to the reduction of 
     child mortality rates by 44 percent and the reduction of 
     maternal mortality rates by 39 percent;
       Whereas the majority of the fastest growing economies in 
     the world are in Africa, and the continent's steady annual 
     economic growth rate of 5 percent has exceeded that of other 
     regions in the world;
       Whereas there are currently 1,000,000,000 Africans 
     representing the fastest growing population in the world, and 
     by 2035, the African continent will have the world's largest 
     workforce;
       Whereas individual nations in Africa and the African Union 
     have made significant achievements and remarkable progress 
     since the inception of the African Union 51 years ago and its 
     transition from the Organization of African Unity;
       Whereas the United States Government, recognizing the 
     importance of Africa's youth and future generations, has 
     invested in the next generation of African entrepreneurs, 
     educators, civic leaders, and innovators, including through 
     the United States-led Young African Leaders Initiative 
     (YALI), helping them develop skills and networks to build 
     brighter futures for their communities and countries; and
       Whereas the United States Government is looking forward to 
     hosting 50 heads of state and the Chair of the African Union 
     at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit to demonstrate the United 
     States commitment to Africa, deepen partnerships, and 
     determine concrete ways that the United States can support 
     African-led efforts to further peace and regional security, 
     advance democracy and good governance, improve health and 
     education services, increase trade and investment, address 
     environmental issues, improve resilience and food security, 
     combat wildlife trafficking, invest in women, and support the 
     next generation of African leaders: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) deeply values the historic United States commitment to 
     Africa;
       (2) affirms a future commitment to increased economic 
     partnership with Africa;
       (3) supports innovations in development and an expanded 
     partnership with the private sector, including in the areas 
     of energy, food security, and health;
       (4) supports efforts to facilitate increased trade and 
     investment between the United States and Africa, as well as 
     amongst African countries;
       (5) supports ongoing African-led efforts to improve 
     peacekeeping, prevent atrocities, and combat violent 
     extremism and terrorism;
       (6) affirms the enduring partnership of the people and 
     Government of the United States with the African people, 
     including the youth, and urges African leaders to invest in 
     this generation of young people, as well as the next 
     generation;
       (7) encourages leaders in Africa to make efforts toward 
     strengthening good governance, the rule of law, and 
     democracy, including respecting constitutional term limits, 
     human rights, and ensuring that civil society organizations 
     are able to function freely in their countries;
       (8) supports ongoing efforts to protect and promote women 
     and children, including through investments in education and 
     maternal, newborn, and child health;
       (9) reaffirms the strong United States investment in health 
     in Africa, and anticipates leaders in Africa making greater 
     and sustainable investments in healthcare;
       (10) commends African investments in preventing wildlife 
     trafficking and supports further investments, including 
     training and equipping enforcement teams in Africa;
       (11) urges African heads of state to take concrete steps to 
     implement reforms that will further economic growth, good 
     governance, democracy, peace, security, rule of law, and 
     development; and
       (12) expresses support for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit 
     from August 4 through August 6, 2014.

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