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Barbara Lee: their studies. mr. speaker, i see we have been joined by our chair, the honorable ba california. i would now like to yield to the gentlelady, mr. speaker the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. fudge: thank you so much. ms. lee: thank you so much, mr. speaker. for yielding and also for organizing once again the voice

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for yielding and also for organizing once again the voice of the congressional black caucus. thank you so much, congresswoman fudge, for continuing to raise the critical issues that our entire country must address at this moment in our history. and thank you so much for having a focus tonight on the continent of africa which is often forgotten.

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africa faces numerous challenges which you mentioned earlier, but also enormous opportunities and the promotion and the strengthening of the united states-african relationip is really vital to realizing the progress that's being made in addressing enduring crises related to food insecurity, the

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devastating health pandemic such as h.i.v. and aids and the growing rates of inequality in poverty. also the economic prosperity. as chair of the congressional black caucus, i'm proud to point out that the congressional black caucus is privileged to draw upon the wisdom and the expertise of our colleague on the house committee on foreign

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affairs, congressman donald payne of new jersey. congressman payne is more than a member, however he is a resident expert on africa. he understands the continent and each country on the continent. he is the chair of the africa and global health subcommittee. he is recognized on the

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continent of africa as being a person who seeks global peace and security every step of the way. he's also the leader of our congressional black caucus international affairs task force. the congressional black caucus also is ably represented on the foreign a congressman gregory meeks of new york, congresswoman, former

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ambassador, diane watson of california, and congresswoman sheila jackson lee of texas, also congressman david scott of georgia. president obama has likewise demonstrated a clear commitment to turn the corner in africa. most notably with his announcement of a governmentwide united states review of the u.s.

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global development policy. also a renewed security initiative and also we must remember his very stern and forth right speech in ghana where he asserted america's responsibility to help advance a brighter future in africa with

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action, not just with words. further, secretary of state clinton's recent visit to africa brought much-needed attention to the global fight against h.i.v. and aids, violence against women, trade opportunities with the continent and all of the development and aids issues which the department of state is responsible for -- aid issues which the department of state is

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responsible for. despite such a positive outlook for our administration's strategy, the peistence of health pandemics, chronic food insecurity, a global economic cris and the looming threat of climate change continues to threaten the livelihood of millions of individuals across africa each and every day. there are currently more people

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going hungry in the world than ever before. according to the united nations food and agriculture organization, almost 1/6 of the world's population, or one billion individuals, are now undernourished. encouraging sustainable, long-term development will require a significant

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Barbara Lee: contribution from the united states and international partners. recent estimates indicate that it will cost $500 billion to $600 billion for the next 10 years to allow developing nations such as those in africa to grow -- excuse me, it to grow using renewable energy sources rather than relying on dirty

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Barbara Lee: support -- in calling for the united states to provide support and adaptation of development abroad as well as assistance to ensure affordable access to emerging clean technologies. the reality is that any strategy to combat global warming and climate change will need to include meaningful and equitable action on the international level. the scale of these challenges reflects the urgey of our efforts here in congress. the goal of the congressional

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Barbara Lee: our budget on foreign affairs, but we just do not do that. instead of spending a staggering % of the federal discretionary budget on ainflated defense budget for the pentagon that continues to invest in cold war-era weapons systems to the tune of about $100 billion, for

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Barbara Lee: calling for an increase in nonmilitary foreign assistance to an amount equal to no less than 1% of g.d.p.'s. hard to imagine we're not even at 1% yet. foreign assistance programs are essential at promoting national security and improving the credibility andtanding of the united states in the world. to that end, our congressional

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Barbara Lee: the united states in africa, i must also speak out with regard to our responsibility to urgently seek peace for the residents of darfur and the sudan. when it comes to darfur and the sudan, it's important to recognize that the people of sudan's desire for a just and long st has been crushed repeatedly by

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Barbara Lee: president bashir accountable for his crimes against humanity. let me tell you, they are crimes against humanity. i have visited the refugee camps on three occasions and wtnessed the effects of genocide that was taking place right in front of my eyes. i tell you, we cannot lift sanctions at this point. we have to keep the pressure on.

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Barbara Lee: attention to the ongoing genocide in darfur, the full implementation of the c.p.a. and the humanitarian crisis. i have to applaud and thank president obama for appointing major general grayson as the special envoy for sudan because the general, who i met the first time i was in sudan, is really

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Barbara Lee: issues with which the congressional black caucus is taking a leading role. the continent of africa is strong, it's resilient. the congressional black caucus is committed to working with our colleagues here in congress to enact policies which support african nations in their efforts to ensure good governance, to prevent violence

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in conflict, and provide a foundation for future stability, human development, and sustainable economic growth. so thank you again, congresswoman fudge, for this evening and for giving us the chance to once again speak our mind and tell the american people what the congressional black caucus not only continues to work on, but also to