[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 31 (Thursday, February 18, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E139-E140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE AFRICAN DESCENT AFFAIRS ACT

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 18, 2021

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
with my colleagues, Representatives Gregory Meeks, Sheila Jackson Lee, 
Gwen Moore, and Bobby Rush to introduce the African Descent Affairs 
Act. As we celebrate Black History Month and continue to highlight the 
International Decade for People of African Descent, we have seen a 
sharp increase in racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and other forms of 
prejudice and discrimination across the globe. Global racial justice 
movements in response to the tragic death of George Floyd have not only 
drawn attention to the problem, but also to opportunities to join 
international efforts to develop and implement global and national 
solutions.
  To aid these efforts, I have introduced the African Descent Affairs 
Act to improve the situation of people of African descent around the 
world by establishing, within the United States State Department, a 
Global Office of African Descent Affairs. In addition to developing 
global foreign policy and assistance strategies for people of African 
descent, the bill would also create a ``Fund'' to support anti-
discrimination and empowerment efforts by African descent led civil 
society organizations; require Annual State Department Human Rights 
Reports to include a section on discrimination faced by people of 
African descent; and create similar initiatives at the United States 
Agency for International Development that would work in partnership 
with the State Department.
  U.S. foreign policy strategies such as these have improved the 
situation of vulnerable groups internationally and would greatly assist 
in responding to increasing levels of prejudice and discrimination 
faced by people of African descent around the globe. The State 
Department has already launched many successful

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initiatives that have aided specific and vulnerable populations, such 
as the Office of Global Women's Issues, the Special Envoy to Monitor 
and Combat Anti-Semitism--now an Ambassadorship, and special 
initiatives and funds focused on disability, LGBTQ+ and other 
communities.
  I am greatly encouraged by recent Executive Orders from President 
Biden focused on equity and justice in this country and see the 
adoption of the African Descent Affairs Act as complementary to these 
domestic actions. Implemented together, these actions could facilitate 
the full and equal participation of people of African descent around 
the world. I urge you to join me in supporting this bill.

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