[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12209-12212]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRESSIONAL ETHIOPIAN AMERICAN CAUCUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 6, 2015, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Honda) for 30 minutes.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

[[Page 12210]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today as the founder and 
co-chair of the Congressional Ethiopian American Caucus. This caucus 
was established to give a legislative voice to the specific concerns of 
the Ethiopian American community.
  Founded in 2001, the caucus is comprised of Members who appreciate 
the critical relationship between Ethiopia and the U.S. and value the 
contributions of Ethiopian Americans to our Nation. Congressman John 
Garamendi and I co-chair this caucus of nearly 20 Members of Congress.
  President Obama's upcoming visit to Ethiopia on July 27, which is 
next Monday, will be the very first visit to this nation of 97 million 
people by a sitting American President.
  Ethiopia has Africa's second largest population and is a nation with 
a rich, independent cultural history. And, by the way, Ethiopia is the 
only African country in that continent that has not ever been 
colonized.
  It is a country of growing economic, humanitarian, and strategic 
importance to the United States. Accompanying these opportunities are 
many challenges that face Ethiopia today.
  Situated at the center of the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is located in 
an unstable region, making it a key ally of the United States in 
combating radical extremists in the region.
  Ethiopia has a checkered humanitarian record, and the government must 
learn to embrace the voices of political dissent and promote basic 
human and civil rights.
  I believe that President Obama's upcoming trip to Ethiopia provides a 
unique opportunity to promote respect for freedom of speech and press, 
in addition to supporting economic health, food security, and 
humanitarian development in Ethiopia.
  The United States must aggressively support and encourage Ethiopia to 
embrace democracy and its hallmarks: free speech and a free and 
independent media.
  With a base of young entrepreneurs, a large labor force, and a wealth 
of natural resources, Ethiopia has quickly become an important center 
of industry, agriculture, and technology. We must explore avenues for 
U.S. investment and partnerships with Ethiopia to further this growing 
economic partnership.
  Here at home, Ethiopians in the U.S. provide us with a large pool of 
talent, education, and experience. If we are to draw lessons from U.S. 
relations with China, Vietnam, and India, we can see that engagement is 
an important tool in bringing about sustainable change.
  The U.S. and Ethiopian Governments must work closely to engage 
private business and Ethiopians in the diaspora. If we have learned 
anything about Ethiopia and Ethiopians, it is to never discount the 
capacity for genius and resolve in the interest of their country and 
fellow countrymen.
  I visited Ethiopia in 2005, and I left the country a changed man. The 
Ethiopian diaspora's generosity and forward vision continue to inspire 
me as a person and as a policymaker.
  Numbering over a quarter of a million people across this country, the
vibrant and fast-growing Ethiopian American community greatly 
contributes to the richness of American culture and strengthens our 
economy to help make our Nation competitive in the 21st century.
  As I traveled around Ethiopia and met people from all walks of life 
who are bound by one truth, to control their own destiny, I was 
inspired more than ever to strengthening a long-established 
relationship between Ethiopia and the U.S. and become an effective 
voice to encourage lasting democratic, humanitarian, and security 
improvements and partnerships with our friend in the Horn of Africa.
  As President Obama prepares for his upcoming trip to Africa in the 
coming days, many human rights groups are criticizing his visit to 
Ethiopia as one that props up and supports a repressive regime; a 
government that has been censoring and intimidating the media, and even 
imprisoning journalists who spoke out against the ruling Ethiopian 
party.
  Since 2014, six privately owned media outlets have shut down due to 
government harassment of over two dozen journalists and bloggers who 
have faced criminal charges, and at least 30 others have fled the 
country to avoid arrest. More journalists are in jail in Ethiopia than 
anywhere else in Africa.
  This crackdown and use of antiterrorism legislation to stifle 
political dissent in Ethiopia is absolutely unacceptable. The State 
Department has publicly and privately expressed concerns about 
Ethiopian restrictions on political and human rights. These issues 
present complicated diplomatic engagement and security cooperation 
scenarios.
  Stability, security, and economic development are sustainable only 
with the development of democratic values, and Ethiopia has a long road 
ahead to fully achieve these goals. But with our support and the 
support of the Ethiopian Caucus, we can help them move closer to those 
ideals.
  Over the past month, in the run-up to President Obama's visit, the 
Ethiopian Government has released half a dozen journalists and bloggers 
who were being held on dubious charges. While this is a positive step, 
this does not forgive or cause us to overlook the restrictive and 
undemocratic pressures on the media in Ethiopia. The government's 
recent actions of good faith are not an achievement but, rather, they 
represent the first step in a long road towards the government 
demonstrating it can embrace a free and open democracy with a vibrant 
and free press.
  I believe the U.S. can be most effective at championing human rights 
and democratic institutions in Ethiopia through engagement. The U.S. 
must build on Obama's historic visit and work harder to encourage 
positive change. As a partner, we can have frank conversations with the 
government and champion human rights and democratic principles.
  Ethiopia is a young country in terms of democracy and, over time, we 
can help shape their maturing political system in a way that provides 
real choices for the people.
  The Ethiopian Government needs to continue to uphold democratic 
principles and engagement while, at the same time, reconciling the need 
for security with the increasing opportunities to engage talented 
Ethiopians.

                              {time}  2045

  I stand with Amnesty International and call for the immediate and 
unconditional release of any and all remaining journalists and bloggers 
who remain in prison based on politically motivated convictions on 
terrorism charges.
  As a friend to the people of Ethiopia, it is our responsibility to 
encourage President Desalegn's government to stick to this reform.
  As the U.S. pursues closer economic and strategic relationships with 
Ethiopia, we must remain adamant that improvements to human rights and 
democratic institutions are a requirement to a successful partnership.
  Ethiopia is a valuable partner in a critical region, from 
peacekeeping, to fighting al-Shabaab, to pursuing peace in South Sudan.
  In recent years, the number of attacks performed by extremists across 
the Horn of Africa has been increasing. Ethiopia has been a vital 
partner and ally to confront extremism in the region.
  U.S. national security is intertwined with countries like Ethiopia 
that are on the frontline of fighting terrorism. The threat posed to 
African countries posed by terrorism requires the support of the United 
States Government in helping build stability that will allow democratic 
institutions to grow and flourish.
  Ethiopia has historically been a key contributor to United Nations 
and African Union peacekeeping missions and, as the seat of the African 
Union, has taken an active role in trying to bring peace to the region 
and the continent.
  To this end, Ethiopia gets nearly $800 million a year in U.S. 
military assistance to fight the Somali Islamic group

[[Page 12211]]

al-Shabaab, a group that is responsible for numerous attacks across the 
region.
  As we invest hundreds of millions to combat this brutal extremist 
group, we must remember that military strength alone will not defeat 
extremism.
  The only lasting solution is a comprehensive one that addresses the 
political and economic concerns of the region, one in which the rights 
of all religious and cultural groups are respected.
  I encourage President Obama to work with the Ethiopian, Kenyan, and 
Somali Governments to find ways to address the underlying social and 
economic issues that are resulting in fertile grounds for extremist 
movements like al-Shabaab.
  Ethiopia has undergone amazingly rapid economic growth in recent 
years and has made significant progress toward its Millennium 
Development Goals. The U.S. must continue to support Ethiopia's 
development goals and increase opportunities for U.S. businesses in the 
region.
  Ethiopia has the fifth fastest growing economy of the 188 
International Monetary Fund member countries. The Ethiopian economy has 
enjoyed strong economic growth, with average GDP growth over 10 percent 
in the past decade, double the average for sub-Saharan Africa.
  This growth has largely been a result of government-led development 
policies with an emphasis on public investment, commercialization of 
agriculture, and nonfarm, private sector development.
  As part of this growth, Ethiopia has prioritized infrastructure 
development. Ethiopia is investing heavily in physical infrastructure 
as part of its development strategy.
  This includes the development and upgrading of the country's power, 
transport, and telecommunications facilities, with a brand-new railway 
network and the construction of a number of hydroelectric power 
stations. These investments will allow the country to continue to 
export power to neighboring countries.
  Ethiopia has also proven to be a partner in renewable energy 
development. Their hydro programs are helping move Ethiopia to become a 
climate-resilient economy by 2025.
  Ethiopia has the second highest hydropower-generating capacity in 
Africa and the continent's biggest wind farm.
  These renewable resources have enabled Ethiopia to export electricity 
to Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan despite having limited hydrocarbon 
resources.
  This incredible growth has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the 
world, and numerous developed nations, including China and India, are 
investing heavily in Ethiopia.
  India is the biggest investor in land in Ethiopia, with Indian 
companies accounting for almost 70 percent of the land acquired by 
foreigners. The U.S. Government needs to do more to encourage American 
companies to invest in Ethiopia.
  With the continent's second largest population, Ethiopia is a huge 
market for American companies and products.
  Self-imposed congressional limitations on programs like OPIC, the 
Overseas Private Investment Corporations, are severely hindering U.S. 
investment into this economy. Self-imposed congressional limitations 
are severely hindering U.S. investment in this economy. We have to 
remember that.
  According to figures from the World Bank and Ernst & Young, foreign 
direct investment into Ethiopia has risen more than tenfold in 7 years, 
from $108 million in 2008 to $1.2 billion in 2014, with $1.5 billion 
projected for 2015.
  A significant portion of this investment growth is represented by 
Chinese investment in Ethiopia ramping up. This includes a new $200 
million African Union headquarters financed by China, a $300 million 
contract to expand the Addis Ababa airport, and construction of a 
reported $2 billion factory for China's Huajian Corporation, which will 
employ 30,000 Ethiopians.
  It is critical that the U.S. Government mobilizes private sector 
capital to address these development challenges or other countries 
will.
  Despite all this economic growth, Ethiopia has significant 
challenges. Ethiopia's per capita GDP of $505 is one of the world's 
lowest.
  Though per capita GDP is on the rise--7.2 percent in 2014--it is 
still one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 173 out of 187 
countries on the Human Development Index.
  Although Ethiopia is outperforming many sub-Saharan countries in 
poverty reduction, widespread malnutrition continues to haunt the 
nation.
  Estimates suggest that the country loses around 16.5 percent of its 
GDP each year to the long-term effects of child malnutrition.
  Dependency on agriculture--coffee, in particular--leaves the large 
rural population vulnerable to droughts, natural disasters, and other 
economic shocks.
  Recent periods of rapid inflationary pressures and large refugee 
inflows from Eritrea and South Sudan further aggravate these trends. 
This has led to food prices rising 100 percent in 2011.
  Ethiopia still relies heavily on aid to achieve its development 
goals. Ethiopia receives the most USAID assistance of any sub-Saharan 
African country, ranked seventh worldwide.
  Even among other donors, Ethiopia remains the single largest 
recipient of official development assistance in sub-Saharan Africa.
  So Ethiopia has made progress towards reaching most of the Millennium 
Development Goals.
  Together with government action and the largest social protection 
scheme in the region, Ethiopia has seen remarkable progress towards its 
development targets. Apart from the overall decline in poverty--reduced 
by 33 percent since 2000--positive gains have been made in terms of 
education, health, and reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and fistula.
  USAID development funds and programs are having a massive impact in 
Ethiopia in everything from nutrition, sustainability, food stability, 
health, and education. U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs also have a 
strong role to play in Ethiopia.
  Organizations like the U.S.-Africa Diaspora Business Council focus on 
tapping into the large entrepreneurial Ethiopian and African diaspora 
populations in the U.S.
  They help provide information, build capacity, and developmental 
infrastructure to assist American companies to build business 
footprints in Ethiopia and develop trade between the U.S. and Africa.
  I would like to particularly highlight the budding benefit 
corporations that are producing a positive impact on society and the 
environment as well as making a profit.
  Ethiopian diaspora-owned company Blessed Coffee, the nation's second 
benefit corporation, is established as a socially responsible business, 
focusing on trade in coffee growing regions as well as in communities 
in the U.S. where coffee is sold.
  A symbiotic relationship will be one that not only benefits the 
American consumer but, also, the farmers in Ethiopia and the 
development of the region.
  On a side note, I am not sure that it is well known, but according to 
DNA analysis, all coffee came from Ethiopia. So we can thank them for 
that.
  I was proud to help reauthorize the African Growth and Opportunity 
Act last month, which paves the way for continued investment in 
Ethiopia and Africa through preferential duty-free treatment to U.S. 
imports of certain products.
  This important bill incentivizes American companies to invest in 
industry and development programs in Africa and Ethiopia that provide 
products to the United States and jobs to the region.
  As the Representative from Silicon Valley, I take special note of the 
large opportunities in high technology and Internet fields.
  With just over 2 percent Internet penetration and 27 percent cellular 
phone subscriptions, Ethiopia has one of the lowest rates of Internet 
and mobile phone penetration in the world.
  Persistent State interventions, including nationwide Internet 
filtering, public sector monopoly over the telecom sector, and a 
relatively closed

[[Page 12212]]

economy, have suppressed the growth of economic freedom over the past 5 
years.
  All of this points to an opportunity for the U.S. Government and 
companies to help Ethiopia modernize and open its markets to American 
tech companies.
  In closing, let me just say that Ethiopia is a nation of growing 
importance and opportunity for the United States, a reality that is 
highlighted by President Obama's visit next week.
  As one of the poorest countries, yet with one of the fastest growing 
economies and largest population in Africa, Ethiopia still represents 
enormous untapped potential for economic growth.
  Ethiopia is a country where American companies can invest and bring 
jobs and development. It is critical that the U.S. Government seizes 
this opportunity for investment and mobilizes private sector capital to 
address the development challenges Ethiopia faces.
  Additionally, the U.S. has an opportunity to help Ethiopia address 
the numerous humanitarian challenges it faces. The administration's 
Feed the Future initiative supports Ethiopia's food security strategy 
to reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and promote broad-based economic 
growth.
  Ethiopia still has many serious unmet development needs in sectors 
like small-business lending, private education, health care, and access 
to electricity.
  Healthy bilateral aid programs through USAID and development programs 
like Power Africa can help make significant improvements into the 
health and food security of millions of people in Ethiopia.
  Notwithstanding Ethiopia's enormous development needs, we must secure 
ties within the country to reinforce its constructive collaboration 
with the U.S. on regional security issues in the Horn of Africa.
  Ethiopia's ongoing strategic partnership with the United States in 
combating al-Shabaab and defeating extremism in the Horn of Africa is 
an opportunity for the United States to change the narrative in the 
region away from focusing solely on military solutions and, instead, 
focusing on a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying 
social, economic, and political causes that fuel extremist groups.
  Stability, security, and economic development are sustainable only 
with the development of democratic values.
  Ethiopia is a young democracy where human rights and freedom of 
speech are not respected by the ruling government. The United States 
must take a strong position of standing with democratic institutions, 
such as free speech and open, fair, transparent elections.
  The U.S. must build on Obama's historic visit and work harder to 
encourage positive change. As a partner, we can have frank 
conversations with their government and champion human rights and 
democratic principles.
  Ethiopia is a young country in terms of democracy, and over time we 
can help shape their maturing political system in a way that provides 
real choices for the people.
  The Ethiopian diaspora here in the United States are the natural 
bridges and ambassadors and human resources to build and strengthen the 
economic, strategic, and humanitarian connections between our nations.
  The future looks extremely bright for Ethiopia, and the United States 
has an opportunity to be a strong partner as it moves towards a 
wealthier, more secure, and more democratic future.
  I am proud to be the co-chair of the Ethiopian American Caucus, where 
I can help give a legislative voice to the specific concerns of the 
Ethiopian American community and help the U.S. Government and diaspora 
build these important, necessary bridges to a brighter future.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
the strong relationship between the United States and Ethiopia. As a 
member of the Ethiopian American Caucus, I am proud to see our 
bilateral relationship grow.
  As the United States continues to provide economic, humanitarian, and 
developmental assistance, Ethiopia continues to struggle with human 
rights issues and food insecurity. Next week, I will visit Ethiopia 
with President Barack Obama to highlight America's commitment to 
investing in Africa. I hope that with this visit, we can reinforce our 
commitment to improving public health, food security, and human rights 
in Ethiopia.
  It is my hope that in Congress, we can follow the lead of the late 
former Congressman Mickey Leland, whose work to end hunger and poverty 
was world-changing. Congressman Leland helped to form the House Select 
Committee on World Hunger in 1984 which generated awareness within 
Congress regarding national and international hunger and prompted a 
bipartisan effort to find solutions to end hunger in the U.S. and 
around the world, particularly in Ethiopia and Sudan. Congressman 
Leland wag killed in a plane crash in Ethiopia during a mission.
  Since the African Growth and Opportunities Act was reauthorized 
earlier this summer, Ethiopia is eligible for preferential trade 
benefits. I hope to see our trade relationship grow as we work with 
Ethiopia to improve humanitarian conditions. I am proud to be a member 
of the Ethiopian American Caucus and I ask my colleagues to support the 
relationship between the U.S. and Ethiopia.

                          ____________________