Congressional Visit Committee
Dept. Of State for Local Gov't
And Religious Affairs
Banjul

19th December 1999



PRESS RELEASE


Three members of the United States Congress have just completed a highly
successful trip to The Gambia where they have been for three days at the
invitation of His Excellency President Yahya Jammeh.  Lead by the Chairman
of the very powerful Congressional Black Caucus, the Honourable James
Clyburn of South Carolina, the delegation included the Honourable Earl
Hilliard of Alabama, Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and
Honourable Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, both making their second trip to
The Gambia.

The Congressmen came to The Gambia to meet with President Jammeh and his
government to discuss ways to developing closer relations between the United
States and The Gambia.  On a visit to the Earl F. Hilliard School in Njaba
Kunda, North Bank Division, Congressman Hilliard made the announcement of 6
scholarships to deserving Gambian students to Selma University in the
Congressman's home state of Alabama.  In addition, the Members and their
staff accompanying them have announced the beginning of a partnership
program that will help provide textbooks and supplies to schools across The
Gambia.  The Congressmen also pledged their support in assisting The Gambia
in its efforts to obtain medical staff and equipment after a visit to the
AFPRC Hospital in Farafenni.

At an emotional ceremony in Juffureh, the Congressmen visited with Binta
Kinte, the seventh generation descendant of the American slave Kunta Kinte,
the hero of the epic book "Roots" by Alex Haley.  Later, the delegation held
meetings with US Ambassador George Haley, brother to the author, to discuss
ways in which US programs in The Gambia could be increased and continued.

After visiting a Catholic Relief Services Project Mandori and a Peace Corps
administered Internet centre at the Farafenni Senior Secondary School, the
Congressmen have pledged continued support and additional funding. The group
from America held several hours of talks with His Excellency President Yahya
Jammeh in Kanilai.  At the President's home, Congressman Earl Hilliard was
decorated by President Jammeh with the General Order of Republic of the
Gambia, one of Gambia's highest civilian honours. This is in appreciation of
Congressman Hilliard's long-time support and friendship with The Gambia. In
statements afterwards, the Congressmen praised President Jammeh for his
strong leadership of The Gambia and for his hopeful vision for the future of
Africa.  They went on to congratulate President Jammeh for his successful
interventions in civil conflicts across the sub-region and encouraged him to
continue his mediation efforts among his brothers in other countries.

The Congressmen went on to visit what they described as "successful and
impressive ventures".  They visited the Bonded Warehouses and
export-processing zone at the Gambia Port Authority and met with Port
Authority officials to discuss the increasingly important role Gambia is
playing as a trading hub in West Africa.  They also visited Alhagie Sankung
Sillah's Soap and Plastic Factory before spending their free time visiting
the Albert market where they purchased masks, textiles and art to take home.

On Saturday evening, a State dinner was held to honour the visiting
Congressional delegation at the Al-Emir restaurant.  At the dinner, the
Congressmen pledged to be "the eyes, ears and voice of The Gambia in the
United States Congress," and telling the Secretaries of State and Permanent
Secretaries in attendance that, "The Gambia has friends in the US Congress."

The Congressmen concluded their visit to the Gambia by meeting with the
Speaker and with other members of the National Assembly, including the
Minority Leader.  The members discussed the upcoming legislative elections
in the Gambia and ways in which the United States could help support
democratic institutions in The Gambia.

After a visit to the Kombo Coastal Road, the Congressmen returned to their
residences to repose themselves before their 26-hour trip back to America.
The delegation also included the Chief of Staff to the Congressional Black
Caucus, Mr. Yelberton Watkins, and the Chief of Staff to Congressman Danny
Davis of Chicago, Mr. Richard Boykin.

In a final statement by the Congressmen at a press conference, all reported
that they were extremely happy with their visit to the Gambia.  They
heralded The Gambia as "one of Africa's greatest success stories" and again
praised President Jammeh's leadership to his people and to his neighbours in
the sub-region.  As a result of this visit, many new partnerships between
the United States and The Gambia have been developed in the areas of health
care, education, democratic consolidation and infrastructure development.




Tombong Saidy
Member
Congressional Visit Committee

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