John Shaw: “I was privileged to have introduced the Congo Basin Forest Partnership Act, along with the gentleman from California…”

“I was privileged to have introduced the Congo Basin Forest Partnership Act, along with the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), to authorize funding for the Congo Basin Partnership fund. The partnership strives to preserve and protect millions of acres of land in Africa by establishing a network of national parks. The partnership is focused on 11 key landscapes in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo. I have traveled to Africa on numerous occasions, and I have had the experience of seeing the immense beauty and wonder that this continent holds. And I have also witnessed how the poaching and clear-cutting of forests devastates the people, the land, and the wildlife of Africa. One of America's greatest assets is our national parks and conservation systems. I can think of no better way to help Africa and the African people than to provide them with the tools to conserve their great continent, just as we do in our national parks.”