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 ### ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------