[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING THE AFRICAN DESCENT AFFAIRS ACT IN RECOGNITION OF THE 
           INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2015

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill 
recognizing persons of African descent and to support a resolution 
authored by my colleague Representative Hank Johnson to commemorate the 
start of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
  As our country fights to realize justice for Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, 
Aiyana Jones, John Warner, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and many 
others, we must not forget the names--Stephen Lawrence, Oury Jalloh, 
Mark Duggan, Zyed Benna, Bouna Traore and many others who are victims 
of similar injustices in Europe and elsewhere around the world.
  The International Decade provides an opportunity to join efforts with 
countries across the globe to, over the next decade, develop and 
implement national strategies honoring the vast contributions of people 
of African Descent, and to combat continuing issues of prejudice and 
discrimination such as those currently gripping our nation. To aid 
these efforts, I am proud to support Representative Johnson's 
resolution commemorating the International Decade.
  I have also introduced the African Descent Affairs Act. The Act to 
improve the situation of people of African descent around the world, by 
establishing a Global Office of African Descent Affairs within the U.S. 
State Department that would implement strategies for people of African 
descent; create a ``President Obama Fund'' to support anti-
discrimination and empowerment efforts by African descent led civil 
society organizations; and require that the Annual State Department 
Human Rights Reports include a section on discrimination faced by 
people of African descent. U.S. foreign policy strategies such as these 
have improved the situation of vulnerable groups internationally. 
Furthermore, it would greatly assist in responding to the increasing 
levels of prejudice and discrimination faced by people of African 
descent around the globe.
  Mr. Speaker, the International Decade reaffirms the importance of 
inclusion, as well as full and equal participation of people of African 
descent around the world in all aspects of political, economic, social, 
and cultural life. I encourage my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
and celebrating the collective history and achievements made by people 
of African descent on the occasion of the launch of the International 
Decade by supporting this important resolution.

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