Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Focuses on Africa


House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce recently spoke to the RNLA’s Washington, D.C. chapter at a packed luncheon that had seven African Ambassadors and a number of other leading officials attending .  This was in no small part a tribute to Chairman Royce's years of dedicated service to improving foreign relations with Africa. Some photos of the luncheon are here

ImageFor eight terms, Royce served on the Subcommittee on Africa and was chairman from 1997 to 2004.  In the dozens of hearings held, he covered critical issues for the continent, such as HIV/AIDs, terrorism and oil.  Royce co-chairs the bipartisan International Conservation Caucus, and was involved in legislation protecting African wildlife in the Congo Basin.

In 1999, Royce led a delegation to Nigeria to observe their first presidential election after years of oppressive rule.  His subcommittee has been responsible for numerous resolutions defending human rights.  In 2010, Royce sponsored the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act to remove a criminal leading a transnational organized crime network.

Royce also was integral in getting the African Growth and Opportunity Act passed and later extended to support trade and enterprise in Africa. He also participated in the U.S.-Sub-Saharan African Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum.

Chairman Royce has been the leader of the ongoing fight against Joseph Kony, an Uganda terrorist.   In 2010, Royce – a former chair of the Africa Subcommittee – was an original sponsor of the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. The successful legislation made it the policy of the U.S. to "apprehend or remove Joseph Kony and his top commanders from the battlefield."

Chairman Royce work on the Foreign Affairs committee is impressive as all who attended the RNLA lunch a few weeks back learrned. Chairman 'sRoyce knowledge of international matters and leadership is a tribute to his party and more importantly the country. 

No comments:

Post a Comment