Foreign Affairs
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By Sherwin Bryce-Pease, South African Broadcasting Corportation,
A three-metre tall statue of former President Nelson Mandela now adorns the main entrance to South Africa's Embassy in Washington.
Unveiled by a host of dignitaries, among them International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane, ANC Chairperson Baleka Mbete and leaders from the Free South Africa Movement in the United States, Madiba's likeness now stands as a symbol of freedom outside a building once used to justify the Apartheid system.
Krissah Thompson, The Washington Post
On the eve of Thanksgiving in 1984, a small group of Washington activists walked into the South African Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue. They had grown weary of their frustration with the in¬trac¬table racial injustice in South Africa. They saw a system they did not like. They wanted to do something about it. It was the kind of bubbling disturbance that, if timed right, can launch a movement.
Ben Kamisary, McClatchy Washington Bureau
The sounds of djembe drums and traditional African music filled the halls of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday as members of Congress, the diplomatic corps and the public ushered in a birthday celebration for former South African President Nelson Mandela.
"Scarcely a week – a day – goes by without us pointing to Mandela as an example," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, as he welcomed the crowd. "An example of standing on principle, of loving your neighbor, of extending the reach of freedom."
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) released the following statement in recognition of the 95th birthday of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa. This morning, she joined her colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus and leaders from both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate at the Celebration of the Life, Legacy and Values of Nelson R. Mandela. Congresswoman Waters led the organizing of the event, which took place in Emancipation Hall of the United States Capitol Visitor's Center.
At 10am on Thursday, July 18 Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) will be joined by the Congressional Black Caucus and the leadership of both the House of Representatives and United States Senate in celebrating the life, legacy and values of Nelson Mandela. The date marks Mr. Mandela's 95th birthday, and is recognized internationally as Mandela Day. The ceremony will take place in Emancipation Hall of the United States Capitol Visitors Center.
Charlene Muhammad, LA Sentinel
U.S. Doctors for Africa, a Los-Angeles-based non-profit organization, convened the 2nd African First Ladies Health Summit at the Intercontinental Hotel Century City April 2-4. The Summit provided a platform for the first ladies to make individual presentations and obtain strategic partners to help them find the best ways to solve their health-centered problems.
A contingent of 12 Members of the House of Representatives today filed an amicus brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in support of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Resource Extraction Rule. The rule is based on a provision in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) released the following statement following the hospitalization of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa:
"I send my love, prayers and best wishes to Nelson Mandela as he continues to undergo a series of medical tests after he was admitted to the hospital this past weekend. Mandela is one of the world's greatest leaders of our time and has faced adversity on many levels.
By Emily Stephenson
WASHINGTON, July 10 (Reuters) - A fresh burst of scandals, including allegations that major banks tried to manipulate global benchmark interest rates and another case of missing customer funds at a futures brokerage, has raised Washington's ire on both sides of the political aisle.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a long-time advocate for international human rights and assistance for impoverished nations, participated today in a hearing on "The Costs and Consequences of Dodd-Frank Section 1502: Impacts on America and the Congo." The hearing was held by the International Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee to consider proposed rules affecting imports of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Congresswoman submitted the following statement for the hearing record: