‘You Can Only Squeeze so Much Out of an Orange’ – but – ‘Power Africa Provides a lot of Sunshine’: Africa Breakfast on the Hill

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Africa Congress, Ed Royce, Kamran Khan, Karen Bass, Library of Congress, MCC, Nigeria, Olufunke Osibodu, Oren Whyche-Shaw, Paul Hinks, Power Africa, Symbion Power, Tanzania, USAID

 

The back of the heads of many an African Ambassador are seen in the front row

Yesterday Morning, I attended what I believe was the fourth installment of Representative Karen Bass’ Africa Policy Breakfast Series at the Library of Congress.  This session focused on ‘Power: Eliminating a Barrier to Trade, Development and Growth in Africa.’  It featured representatives from Symbion Power, a key player in Obama’s new Power Africa Initiative, the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and a Nigerian power official.  Congressman Edward Royce gave opening remarks and Ms. Oren Whyche-Shaw, Principal Adviser to USAID’s Assistant Administrator for Africa, moderated.

Johnnie Carson Rides off into the Sunset, Encourages US Corporations not to Cede Ground to China

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AGOA, Charlie Rangel, Congress Africa, Ed Royce, Gregory Meeks, Johnnie Carson, Johnny Isakson, Keith Ellison, The Africa Society

This evening, the Africa Society hosted “A Salute to Ambassador Johnnie Carson.”  The Event Chair was Congresswoman Karen Bass, and an array of African and US dignitaries were on hand to wish Ambassador Carson the best as he enters retirement.  Corporate sponsors, including Chevron and General Electric, funded a delicious culinary spread.  I gorged myself on ravioli, salmon, and roast beef.  The actor Tim Reid served as the master of ceremonies.  In the current tortuous political environment, Africa certainly seems to be something that can bring together both sides of the aisle.

Republicans offered the following tribute to Ambassador Carson: