Rush pledges support for President Obama's trade commitment to Africa and urges economic engagement beyond traditional humanitarian assistance

WASHINGTON -- As the world begins to focus its attention on the historic, July 10 visit by President Barack Obama to the continent of Africa, where his father was born, in a letter to the President last week, U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush praised the President's expanded vision toward Africa while also urging him to expand his Administration's commitment to trade and economic development with Ghana and other progressive African nations.

"I am pleased that you will visit Ghana, following the G-8 Summit, and I enthusiastically offer my full support from Congress on your visionary and far-reaching trade agenda for Africa," said Rush in his letter to the President.  While praising Ghana's successful, democratic elections and peaceful transfer of power, Rush expressed his support for this West African nation's accelerated efforts to assert its leadership in Africa's attempts to rise to the challenge of helping to meet the world's growing energy and mineral needs.
 
"Ghana's hopes and challenges reflect the contemporary African experience.  This nation has a highly educated, talented and young population that is in serious need of expanded access to education, employment and technology," said Rush who serves as the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.  In April, Rush was the principal convenor of the Africa Partnership for Economic Growth Caucus (APEGC) and was a featured speaker at a gathering of international trade organizations held on the eve of the bi-annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Bi-Annual General Assembly in Washington, D.C.

"Our historical connection with the continent does not automatically give us primacy.  Other countries know more about Africa's opportunities and challenges than we do.  And many are intensifying their efforts to advance their ties within the region.  I look forward to working with your Administration to implement a mutually beneficial policy toward Africa that will increase commerce and trade—especially for women, minorities and small- and medium-sized enterprises."

Rush, who is in his third year of leadership as chairman of the subcommittee, is firmly committed to utilizing the full array of resources the subcommittee commands to seize this unique moment in American history to expand trade in a way that makes a difference in his community, state and nation.  At an evening reception in the U. S. Capitol Visitor Center on the day the APEGC was formed, Rush joined with U. S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and top executives from the Business Council for International Understanding where he talked about his passionate pursuit of expanded ties between the U. S. and Africa, "I really believe that if, in fact, we can develop a common agenda with respect to U. S. trade with Africa, then it can be mutually beneficial.  My district is one of the poorest in the nation.  If I'm going to deliver effectively on job creation, then I've got to look beyond the borders of the United States.  I want the citizens of my district to understand that they are, in fact, citizens of the world.  That's what I want to promote."

A copy of the letter to the President of the United States is available by clicking on this link:

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