PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Three Congressmen from the United States of America will be visiting The
Gambia from December 16th to December 19th 1999 for meetings with President
Jammeh and high-ranking Gambian officials. This is a follow-up to President
Jammeh's recent visit to the United States of America and this is an effort
to broaden the ties between The Gambia and the U.S Congress, the people and
government of the United States of America. The three Congressmen are:
1. Hon. James E. Clyburn (Democrat, South Carolina, 6th District)
2. Hon. Earl F. Hilliard (Democrat, Alabama, 7th District)
3. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, Mississippi, 2nd District)
Congressman James E. Clyburn is the current Chairman of the Congressional
Black Caucus, which the President addressed during his visit to Washington.
The Congressional Black Caucus is the association of African-American
members of the United States Congress.
Congressman Clyburn is South Carolina's first minority U.S. Representative
since reconstruction and he was the first to be elected to the U. S. House
of Representative in 1992, becoming the first African-American member of
Congress since his great uncle held the same position nearly a century ago.
Congressman Clyburn's leadership in the House attracted the attention of
President Clinton and U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and both participated
in the rededication of a church in the heard of the Sixth District.
Congressman Clyburn is a member of the Democratic Steering Committee and the
House Appropriation Committee. He will be accompanied by his Chief of Staff,
Mr. Yelberton Watkins, who is also the Chief of Staff of the Black Caucus.
Congressman Earl F. Hillaird is the Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Black
Caucus and is a member of the House Agricultural Committee and the Committee
on International Relation. Congressman Hilliard was elected the first
Chairman of the Alabama Black Legislative Caucus in 1975. Congressman
Hilliard is a long-time friend and supporter of President Jammeh and The
Gambia. In November 1997, he had the honour to lay with President Jammeh the
first stone (foundation stone) of a high school in Njaba Kunda, NBD, which
was later named after him. Congressman Hilliard is committed to alleviation
of poverty and the promotion of education not only in the U.S. but also
throughout the World, particularly in Africa.
Congressman Bennie S. Thompson is a member of the House Committee on the
Budget and the House Committee on Agriculture. He is a lifelong activist in
the civil rights movement and believes in making the political system work
for every citizen. Congressman Thompson received a Presidential appointment
to serve on the National Council on Health Planning and Development. He is a
Founding Member and past President of both the Mississippi Association of
Black Mayors and the Mississippi Association of Black Supervisors.
Congressman Thompson was elected during the special held in April 1993 to
find a replacement for the then appointed Secretary of Agriculture, Michael
Espy.
The three Congressmen and the accompanying delegation will visit various
government and NGO projects throughout the country. They will pay a courtesy
call to the President and will also hold talks with the Speaker of the
National Assembly, Majority Leader, Minority Leader and other government
officials.
Their visit will take them to Njaba Kunda, Farafenni,GPA Bonded Warehouse,
Arch 22nd, Albert Market, the National Assembly, the Kombo Coastal Road etc.
TOMBONG SAIDY
Congressional Visit Committee
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