Rush Targets Africa, Makes Trade a Priority
by Wendell A. LaGrand
Congressman Bobby Rush recently met with members of the community press, offering them the opportunity to inquire about his legislative duties, and to highlight, and detail his future priorities in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rush, the senior member of the Illinois delegation, represents the First Congressional District. He is also a senior member of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee and is currently the Chairman of the groups Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
As of June 30, 2010, eight of Congressman Rushs bills, amendments, and resolutions have been enacted into public law, and or passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Im trying to influence the Department of Commerce, Rush said with regard to his efforts to increase minority business. As far as commerce, he added, he wants to make Chicago the hub of international trade particularly with Africa.
Last year, Rush launched the Africa Partnership for Economic Growth Caucus (APEGC), an organization whose primary mission is to develop U.S. policies designed to strengthen U.S. Sub-Saharan African relations by promoting growth and economic development.
His House Congressional Resolution 128/1405, African Partnership and Strategic Importance, has already passed in the House of Representatives and currently is facing final action. The bill expresses that Africa is of Strategic, political, economic and humanitarian importance to the United States.
Last month Rush gained a bipartisan, unanimous vote in the House in support of House Resolution 1405. The resolution congratulated the people of the 17 African Nations on 50 years of national independence.
Africa is the new frontier for trade and development, Rush said, The world recognizes it. I am promoting it very vigorously. It has unlimited potential, tremendous capacity. Being African American, I know our problems here cannot be solved by the United States.
This is our opportunity to seize the time. Take advantage of a growing development. There is a growing affinity to create one nation, the United States of Africa, Rush says.
Although trade and commerce was at the top of his list, Rush also highlighted the issues of economic recovery and creating jobs; protecting consumers; helping homeowners and affordable housing.
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