    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [March 11, 1998]
    [Pages 362-363]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House of Representatives Action on Legislation To Promote
    African Growth and Opportunity
    March 11, 1998

        In this year's State of the Union Address, I asked Congress to
    support an initiative to strengthen economic ties to Africa. Today, I am
    pleased that Congress has taken an important step forward on legislation
    that will open a new era of U.S.-African trade and investment relations.
    The strong bipartisan vote in the House in support of the ``African
    Growth and Opportunity Act'' offers the way for a brighter future for
    Africa.
        The United States has a vital stake in a stable, prosperous Africa.
    Later this month, when I travel to Africa, I will deliver the message
    that the United States stands ready to be a partner in Africa's
    prosperity. A majority of sub-Saharan Africa's 48 countries have adopted
    market-oriented economic and political reforms in the past

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    seven years. A stronger, stable, prosperous Africa will be a better
    economic partner, a better partner for security and peace, and a better
    partner in the fight against the new transnational threats of drug
    trafficking, crime, terrorism, the spread of disease and environmental
    degradation. This bill--by significantly broadening market access,
    spurring growth in Africa, and helping the poorest nations eliminate or
    reduce their bilateral debt--would help African nations that are
    committed to undertake difficult economic reforms to build better lives
    for their people.
        We have an historic opportunity to support the renaissance in
    Africa. I want to commend Speaker Gingrich,
    Chairman Archer, Congressman Rangel, Congressman McDermott,
    Congressman Crane, Chairman Gilman, Congressman Hamilton,
    Congressman Payne, Congresswoman
    McKinney, Congressman
    Jefferson, Congresswoman Jackson
    Lee, Congresswoman Waters, Congressman Royce,
    Congressman Menendez, and all those who have
    devoted themselves to helping that transformation. I look forward to
    working with the Senate to enact this landmark legislation as quickly as
    possible.