Lawmaker is Ranking Member of the Africa and Global Health Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Washington (July 23, 2015) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement about joining President Obama on the trip to Kenya and Ethiopia and to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
 
“I am honored to join the President and my Congressional colleagues on this historic trip to Africa. I have tremendous optimism for the African continent. Though issues of democracy, governance, and human rights remain areas on which we will continue to engage our African partners, this trip is an important moment to highlight for the world the gains that Africa is making. The people of sub-Saharan Africa are embracing innovation. The ubiquity of mobile phones, the spread of the Internet, the expansion of renewable energy– these are all innovations that contribute to Africa’s estimated four percent annual growth. Kenya’s economy is forecast to expand by 6.5 percent this year.
 
“I look forward to meeting regional, national, and local leaders, business owners, educators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs and discussing opportunities to partner and support their efforts to spur economic growth and development.”
 

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