[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26170]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  URGING MEMBERS TO VOTE ``YES'' ON H.R. 2003, ETHIOPIA DEMOCRACY AND 
                           ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

  (Mr. HONDA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote 
``yes'' on H.R. 2003, the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act.
  As Chair of the Ethiopia Caucus, I believe that if given the 
necessary tools, Ethiopia can truly be a lighthouse for Africa. In the 
dawn of the Ethiopian millennium, it is important now more than ever to 
celebrate this country with vigilance and genuine partnership.
  I will continue to be an advocate of humanitarian assistance to 
Ethiopia and for supporting policies that promote trade and economic 
development there, but I cannot comply with clear offenses to the 
democratic process by the ruling government right now.
  I believe that the financial and ideological backing of the United 
States administration can encourage the Ethiopian Government to allow 
for the effective participation of opposition parliamentarians and 
civil society.
  I hope we can find a way to provide substantially more support for a 
true political and economic partnership with the Ethiopian people 
beyond this legislation.
  I will vote ``yes'' on Mr. Payne's legislation. I ask my colleagues 
to do so too.

                          ____________________