Washington, DC — Congressman Ed Royce, (R-California) Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, and Ranking Member, Congressman Donald M. Payne (D-New Jersey) are the honorees at The Africa Society's First Annual Awards Banquet to be held on Thursday, October 13, 2004 at on Capitol Hill at the Cannon Caucus Room from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m. Known to be among the strongest and most effective leaders in the Congress in advancing key initiatives on behalf of the continent of Africa, Royce and Payne have also forged a powerful bipartisan alliance that has resulted in over 60 public hearings and legislation central to every policy impacting the continent - from HIV/AIDS, to promoting trade to ending conflict and championing democracy and human rights.
Ambassador Andrew Young, Chairman of Goodworks, International; Judith Hale, President and CEO of Discovery Communications; Professor Ali Mazrui and Ambassador Jerome Mendouga of Cameroon and Ambassador Barbara Masekela are among the presenters for this tribute entitled "The Celebration of Visionaries." Joining the presenters will be an audience comprised of representatives of the African Diplomatic Corps, U.S. government, corporate community, as well as Africanists and NGO leaders. Corporate sponsors of the luncheon include Discovery Communications, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Gap, Inc., and DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund.
Leonard H. Robinson, Jr., Africa Society President and CEO, describes this awards luncheon for Members of Congress as being "long overdue. It is about time that we cast light on people in politics who dedicate their entire lives to helping others - in this instance, not only their respective constituents, but millions of Africans who may never be able to thanks these men. We wish to thank Congressmen Royce and Payne on their behalf."
The eight-year tenure of Congressmen Royce and Payne at the helm of Subcommittee on Africa has been marked with the realization of significant advancements for the continent of Africa. While their collaboration has enabled numerous measures to be steered to the House leadership unencumbered, they also have individual areas of expertise. Congressman Royce is known for his interest in facilitating trade and investment in the continent, his promotion of responsible energy development and conservation, his commitment to fair governance, including being a staunch supporter of free and fair elections. Congressman Payne is known for his work for human rights and democracy, his fight for humanitarian assistance for African nations, his key interventions in Liberia, Somalia and Rwanda as well as his key role in the passage of the Sudan Peace Act.
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Together these Members of Congress have played a significant role in cultivating a more Africa-oriented atmosphere in the House of Representatives. From pushing through the African Growth and Opportunity Act and subsequent iterations in 2002 and 2004, to fighting for more resources to end wars, to seeking innovative solutions to age-old problems such as famine and hunger, they have worked hard and made progress in elevating the human condition on the continent of Africa.
