[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 77 (Thursday, May 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE COFFMAN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2017

  Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 
continued and troubling pattern of repression committed by the 
Government of Ethiopia against its own citizens, and to express our 
support to the people of that country in their efforts to bring about 
peaceful reform to ensure their basic human rights as guaranteed by the 
Ethiopian constitution. To that end, my colleagues and I have 
introduced a bi-partisan resolution expressing support for the people 
of Ethiopia and asking the Ethiopian government to take solid steps to 
address these many violations.
  On March 9th, the House Foreign Relations Subcommittee held hearings 
to discuss this important issue and what the United States can do to 
bring about positive change in Ethiopia. Among those who testified is a 
man from my own district, Deacon Yoseph Tafari of the St. Mary's 
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church located in Aurora, Colorado, who 
grew up in Ethiopia and has seen first-hand the daily struggle of those 
living in abject poverty and under government oppression. Deacon Yoseph 
was forced to flee Ethiopia in 1976 and came to the U.S. as a refugee. 
Since then, both he and all of the courageous members of the Ethiopian 
community in my district, including the Oromo and Amharas, have worked 
tirelessly to organize and help those still suffering from repression 
in their home country, and to bring crucial international awareness to 
their plight.
  Every day, Ethiopian-Americans bring important contributions and 
valuable diversity not only to my district, but all across America. I 
want to make clear that we support them and stand by them in these 
times of hardship. I represent the largest Ethiopian community in 
Colorado, and I will continue to monitor the situation in Ethiopia 
closely as well as continue working with local community leaders to 
raise awareness of this important issue and bring relief to the 
Ethiopian people.

                          ____________________