[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 53 (Thursday, March 24, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING ANGOLA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S., JOAQUIM DO ESPIRITO SANTO, 
                        FOR HIS VISIT TO ATLANTA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NIKEMA WILLIAMS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 2022

  Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Angola's 
Ambassador to the United States, Joaquim do Espirito Santo, for coming 
to the City of Atlanta to celebrate our native son, Reverend Martin 
Luther King, Jr.
  Angolans arrived in the American South 400 years ago as the first 
African slaves brought to the colonies that would become the United 
States. Atlanta was incorporated in 1845, and by 1850, Atlanta's 
population was roughly 20 percent African slaves, mostly from Western 
Africa and what is now Angola. Angola and the City of Atlanta have a 
long shared history, and Ambassador Joaquim do Espirito Santo's recent 
visit honors the relationship between Angola and Atlanta.
  While in Atlanta, Ambassador Joaquim do Espirito Santo joined the 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day service alongside me at Ebenezer Baptist 
Church, one of the most powerful modern institutions of the Civil 
Rights movement. A guest of Dr. Bernice King, Ambassador Joaquim do 
Espirito Santo attended the service on behalf of Angolan President Joao 
Lourenco,
  While in town, Ambassador Espirito Santo further built ties with 
Atlanta's thriving businesses and organizations. By meeting with 
Atlanta's Mayor, City Council, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, 
and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Ambassador Espirito 
Santo has laid the groundwork for continued cooperation and partnership 
between Atlanta and Angola. Similarly, the Ambassador met with the 
Atlanta-based Carter Center to thank them for their excellent work 
eliminating Guinea Worm Disease in Angola.
  Recognizing Atlanta's shared past and exciting future with Angola, 
the Atlanta City Council officially proclaimed January 17, MLK Day, as 
``Angola Day'' in Atlanta. In the words of the City Council, ``this 
growing partnership between Atlanta and Angola is a story that has come 
nearly full circle, from tragedy and injustice to opportunity and 
hope.''
  I join the City of Atlanta in congratulating the Ambassador on his 
timely visit and look forward to the blossoming cultural and economic 
relationship between Atlanta and Angola.

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