Donald M. Payne: “I rise in support of H.R. 1432, the African Growth and Opportunity Act. I join the rest of my colleagues who are…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1432, the African Growth and Opportunity Act. I join the rest of my colleagues who are original cosponsors of this bill. We have been talking about this issue for some time now. I am finally pleased that this initiative is happening. The Subcommittee on Africa, of which I am a member, proudly marked up this legislation last year. I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson) of the Committee on Ways and Means, who worked so hard with their vision to bring this particular bill to the floor. I would also like to commend my chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), and the ranking member, who we have heard from also, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) for the time, effort, and energy they have spent in trying to perfect this bill. It is still not a perfect bill, but it would not be in the shape that it is in now had it not been for the work of the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) and the other Members that I mentioned. This is a historic and exciting occasion. Today I stand before you to say that the Africa trade bill will improve the lives of many African- Americans on the continent.”