Senator Coons releases report on increasing U.S. economic engagement with Africa

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, today released a report with concrete, substantive recommendations to increase U.S. trade with African markets. Africa is home to six of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world and is a critical emerging market for American businesses.  The report, entitled “Embracing Africa’s Economic Potential: Recommendations for Strengthening Trade Relationships between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa” can be found here: coons-staging.creativengine.com/africa.

“The United States faces dramatic challenges in Africa – and enormous opportunities,” Senator Coons said. “This report offers specific, concrete recommendations to meet the need for increased economic engagement in sub-Saharan Africa. If we don’t take action now to invest in trade and development across the continent, we will fall behind our global competitors and potentially shut American businesses out of these fast-growing markets for decades to come.”

The Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs convened two hearings in the 112th Congress to explore economic opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa and identify steps to increase U.S.-Africa investment and trade.  This report analyses the findings of these hearings and provides a roadmap for developing a more cohesive, effective strategy for U.S. economic engagement with Africa in both the public and private sectors.

The report’s six recommendations to achieve a cohesive, effective U.S.-Africa economic engagement strategy are:

• Support African-led efforts to improve the business climate on the continent and remove barriers to trade;
• Reauthorize and strengthen AGOA to diversify exports, expand country and product coverage, and increase its mutual benefit well in advance of its expiration in 2015;
• Improve coordination between U.S. government agencies and develop a comprehensive interagency strategy for increased investment in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Increase the presence of U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Officers in Sub-Saharan Africa to help U.S. companies navigate the business climate in the region;
• Provide increased long-term support for agencies that provide financing to encourage U.S. commercial engagement overseas, mitigate investment risks, and generate a profit for American taxpayers; and
• Engage the African diaspora community in the United States to strengthen economic ties

“The Chamber and our membership are extremely encouraged by the leadership that Senator Coons has shown in driving home point that Africa’s development will be accomplished through greater economic investment by U.S. companies,” Scott Eisner, Vice President for African Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce said. “This report establishes a terrific benchmark to guide Congress and the administration on the next generation of Africa trade policy. The business community will continue to work with Senator Coons and like minded members of Congress and the administration on an economically driven, private sector led policy for this country’s engagement with key African markets.”

“The Corporate Council on Africa represents nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa, and supports all six of Senator Coons’ recommendations,” Stephen Hayes, President of the Corporate Council on Africa said. “We think all six are vital and are at the heart of the issues that separate the U.S. from becoming far more engaged in Africa. The reality is that Africa is of far greater importance to the United States than most people realize, and we need to make Africa a national priority economically, politically and socially.”

Engagement with Africa is critical to America’s economic interests now and in the years ahead. Meeting Africa’s growing demand for American goods and services will strengthen our economy, help U.S. businesses grow and create jobs here at home. In addition, greater attention to Africa is required in the security sector as well, in order to keep our country safe and meet increasingly complex global security challenges.   

Senator Coons recently returned from a congressional delegation visit to South Africa and hosted his second annual Opportunity: Africa conference to give Delawareans a seat at the table with some of the nation’s leading voices on sustainable development and trade with Africa.

To download a copy of Senator Coons’ report, visit coons-staging.creativengine.com/africa

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Carper, Coons, Carney host job fair for 1,400 job seekers

NEWARK, Del. – A job fair hosted on Wednesday by U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney, in conjunction with Brandywine Counseling, drew 1,400 job seekers who came to meet with 70 employers at the Embassy Suites in Newark. Combined, the employers were hiring for more than 1,100 open positions.
 
“Today’s job fair brought together dozens of employers ready to hire with job-seekers from across the First State ready for new employment,” Senator Carper said. “Helping to create a nurturing environment for job creation in Delaware and across the country remains one of my top priorities. I hope that, in some small way, this event that Chris, John and I put together will help more Delawareans find jobs and help our state continue its drive toward a robust economic recovery.”
 
“With tens of thousands of Delawareans still looking for work, these job fairs are a way to make a real difference in our neighbors’ lives,” Senator Coons said. “Our goal for this and for each of our job fairs has been to help Delawareans access these new opportunities and resources for getting a job, and I’m optimistic that today’s job fair did that. Even with the threat of disruptive weather, to have this many employers come out today, ready to hire, was really encouraging. I can’t wait to hear from our neighbors who found a job today, and remain fiercely committed to helping the Delawareans who weren’t so fortunate.”
 
“Today’s job fair connected more than a thousand job seeker with 70 employers looking to hire,” Congressman Carney said.  “There was a wide array of industries represented, from financial services and healthcare companies to higher education, government agencies, and non-profits.  Today’s job market is still very competitive.  I encourage everyone who attended today to take advantage of the connections they made and follow-up with prospective employers.  I’m looking forward to partnering with Sen. Carper and Sen. Coons again in the coming months to host job fairs in Kent and Sussex counties.”
 
Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and Congressman Carney will host additional job fairs in Sussex County in April and in Kent County in June.
 
In 2012, the Congressional delegation hosted four jobs fairs across Delaware — one in each county and one seasonal fair at the Christiana Mall — with a combined total of more than 5,000 job seekers attending.  Job fairs in 2011 — also held in each county — attracted more than 4,900 people looking for work.

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Senator Coons, colleagues file amicus brief on DOMA case before U.S. Supreme Court

WILMINGTON, Del. — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, teamed up with 39 senators and 172 members of the House of Representatives to file an amicus brief today in the United States Supreme Court in U.S. v. Edith Schlain Windsor, a landmark challenge to Section 3 of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA. Senator Coons is an original cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA.

Section 3 of DOMA defines marriage for purposes of federal law as “only a legal union between one man and one woman,” excluding legally married same-sex couples from all marriage-based federal responsibilities and rights. A total of 40 Senators and 172 members of the House signed onto the brief.

These 212 members decided to participate as amici in this case because they want the Supreme Court to hear the full story from Congress, and to explain why they believe that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional. They disagree with the arguments being made by lawyers hired to defend DOMA in court by the House Majority following the divided 3-2 vote of the House Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG).

The amicus brief filed today makes clear that BLAG does not speak for Congress and that many members believe that Section 3 should be struck down because there simply is no legitimate federal interest in denying married same-sex couples the legal security, rights and responsibilities that federal law provides to all other married couples. As the brief explains: “DOMA imposes a sweeping and unjustifiable federal disability on married same-sex couples.”

In Edith “Edie” Windsor’s case, the federal government taxed Edie more than $363,000 when her spouse, Thea Spyer, passed away in 2009. The couple, constituents of Rep. Nadler in New York City, first met in 1965 and married in 2007, after an engagement that lasted more than 40 years. Yet, when Thea died, the federal government treated them as complete strangers because of DOMA, significantly reducing Edie’s inheritance by denying her protections from the estate tax that other married couples receive.

Edie, who is now 83 years old, challenged DOMA as a violation of equal protection. The federal district court in New York City and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in her favor, holding that DOMA violates the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee.

The members’ brief, available here, urges the Supreme Court to uphold the Second Circuit’s decision. It adds the unique perspective of Members of Congress – including some who voted against DOMA and others who voted for it – about the enactment of DOMA and why Section 3 is unconstitutional.

Gay and lesbian couples can now marry in nine states and the District of Columbia, and 18,000 such couples remain legally married in California. It is clear that DOMA does not rationally serve and, in fact, undermines, Congress’s legitimate interests in the welfare of American families.

As the Congressional amici point out to the court: “The goal of maximizing the financial well-being and independence of widows is not furthered by depriving Edie Windsor and others like her of the estate-tax exemption that other married Americans receive. The policy of encouraging employers to provide family health benefits is not served either by denying to employers the tax deduction for providing those benefits to married gay and lesbian couples or by refusing to cover spouses of gay and lesbian federal employees. Our national security is undermined by denying spousal benefits to gay and lesbian servicemembers, especially during periods of armed conflict. Our veterans are dishonored when we deny them the right to have their spouses buried alongside them in our national cemeteries.”

The full text of the amicus brief can be found here: http://www.coons.senate.gov/download/doma-amicus.

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Statement from Senator Coons on announcement of direct, non-lethal aid to Syrian opposition

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who recently met with Syrian refugees in Jordan, released the following statement on the announcement that the United States will, for the first time, provide direct assistance to the Syrian opposition, including non-lethal supplies like food and medicine:

“As the Syrian people continue to fight for democracy, human rights and freedom, President Bashar al-Assad has ordered increasingly horrific attacks on his own people and remains on the wrong side of history as he desperately clings to power in the midst of a civil war and in a country on the precipice of change.

“I welcome Secretary Kerry’s announcement of additional aid and direct, non-lethal support to the Syrian opposition. Just last month, I was part of a bipartisan group of Senators who travelled to the region and met with Syrians who were forced to flee their country for refugee camps. They told us in plain and direct terms that the United States was not doing enough to protect civilians and provide aid, and the humanitarian assistance we were providing was not getting to the people who needed it.

“I hope direct aid will do more to demonstrate that the American people stand with the Syrian people as they fight for their right to live in peace and security.  The United States should do everything in our power to encourage an outcome to this conflict that protects the Syrian people from the unconscionable violence perpetrated by the Assad regime, stabilizes the region and provides humanitarian assistance, and promotes American values of democracy, human rights, justice and peace.”

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Senator Coons praises House passage of Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, issued the following statement on Thursday after the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of reauthorizing the Senate-version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The final vote for passage of the bipartisan legislation was 286 to 138.

“Domestic violence is an evil that touches all segments of our society. It wreaks havoc on families and rips apart communities, and it is incumbent on each of us to work to stop it. The Violence Against Women Act has meant so much to the safety of women in our communities, providing critical training and resources to law enforcement and community advocates to prevent abuse and assist those who have been victims of domestic violence.

“I applaud the House for finally rising above the politics that have prevented this bipartisan bill from moving forward and passing the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. Today, Congress is sending a clear message that domestic violence has no place in our society and those who are wronged by this type of abuse should be treated fairly under the law. Much work remains in preventing domestic violence in our communities, and I pledge to continue to work with law enforcement officials, advocates and members of the legal community to end the cycle of abuse.”

Senator Coons was a cosponsor of the legislation in the Senate, worked to strengthen the bill in the Judiciary Committee, and campaigned aggressively on its behalf.

The Senate voted to reauthorize VAWA on February 12, 2013. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law later this week. 

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Delaware Congressional delegation introduces legislation to spur offshore wind industry

WASHINGTON – Today, Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney (all D-Del.) introduced the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act to provide critical financial incentives for investment in offshore wind energy. This legislation would provide the offshore wind industry with enhanced stability by extending investment tax credits for the first 3,000 Megawatts of offshore wind facilities placed into service, which is an estimate of 600 wind turbines. These tax credits are vital for this new clean energy technology because of the longer lead time for the permitting and construction of offshore wind turbines, compared to onshore wind energy. Once awarded a tax credit, companies would have five years to install the offshore wind facility. Companies would not be able to receive other production or investment tax credits in addition to the offshore wind investment tax credit.

“Developing wind energy off our nation’s shores, especially in places like Delaware, is a critical part of boosting American energy independence and jumpstarting our clean energy economy,” said Senator Carper. “Offshore wind is a true ‘win-win-win’ – it is cleaner for our environment, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign energy, and helps create jobs. If we want to harness this untapped, domestic energy source, providing investment tax incentives for our country’s first offshore wind projects is essential. Our bill would do just that. Additionally, it would help spur an industry that can be an engine for new, good-paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, maintenance and production. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and encourage the growth of the American offshore wind industry.”

“Wind energy generated off our shores has the potential to strengthen domestic energy production, lower energy costs, and create jobs,” Senator Coons said. “This bill will help get turbines moving and, in conjunction with other policies, could help get the first generation of offshore wind projects providing clean, sustainable electricity to our communities.”

“As Congress works to responsibly reduce our deficit, we need to continue to maintain important investments in areas critical to economic growth, like renewable energy, manufacturing and job training programs,” said Congressman Carney. “Offshore wind power is a rapidly growing industry around the world. By incentivizing companies to develop offshore wind operations in the United States, we will reduce our dependency on foreign oil, while creating good-paying manufacturing jobs right here in Delaware. I look forward to working with my Democratic and Republican co-sponsors in both the House and Senate to pass this important piece of legislation.”

The legislation defines offshore facilities as any facility located in the inland navigable waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, or in the coastal waters of the United States, including the territorial seas of the United States, the exclusive economic zone of United States, and the outer Continental Shelf of the United States. 

Offshore wind offers enormous potential for producing clean domestic energy and helping create good jobs in areas located close to large population centers along the coasts. Because offshore wind blows faster and more uniformly at sea than the wind on land, it is a huge untapped resource for clean American power. According to the University of Delaware, the winds off the Atlantic Coast have the potential of generating 330 Gigawatts of power. That is enough power to replace about 300 dirty, large coal plants and enough power to support nine states from Massachusetts to North Carolina. Additionally, building and operating these wind farms would create economic opportunities along our coasts. Learning from European countries, who have seen over 50 offshore wind projects deployed since 1991, we know an offshore wind project can create up to 1,500 jobs in construction and operation and maintenance alone.

A number of proposed offshore wind projects are moving through the development process, including projects in Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Maine. Projects have also been discussed off the shores of Maryland and the Great Lakes states.

Joining Sens. Carper and Coons on the Senate legislation as cosponsors are Sens. Susan Collins (ME), Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez (NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed (RI), Sherrod Brown (OH), Angus King (ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Elizabeth Warren and Mo Cowan (MA), and Ben Cardin (MD).

In addition to Rep. Carney, Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. and Frank LoBiondo (NJ) are cosponsoring the House legislation.

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Coons, Carper, Pitts, Carney reintroduce bill to widen protected area of White Clay Creek watershed

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.-16) reintroduced bills in the Senate and House on Wednesday to add approximately nine miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries to the existing Wild and Scenic Rivers designation for the waterway. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Rep. John Carney (D-Del.-AL) are cosponsors of the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act, which was originally introduced in 2009 and would come at no cost to taxpayers.

“White Clay Creek is a gem that shines brightly in Delaware’s diverse ecosystem, and we must work to protect its beauty for future generations,” Senator Coons said. “When I was a child growing up in New Castle, I used to spend considerable time in the White Clay Creek watershed, and I know what a great outdoor experience is for children and families. I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for coming together in a bipartisan way to reintroduce this important legislation that conserves our shared waterways and wildlife.”

“I’m proud to again introduce legislation to protect new areas of the White Clay Creek watershed,” Rep. Pitts said. “This bill means a lot to me because of wonderful memories of enjoying the creek with my family. With Senator Chris Coons working with me in the Senate, I think we can get our bipartisan legislation through Congress very soon.”

The bill will expand the original designation to include two small stream sections that were omitted from the original Wild and Scenic Rivers designation, including a 1.6-mile stretch of Lamborn Run in Delaware that was originally omitted due to its consideration as an option for a dam to supply drinking water for northern Delaware. It has since been removed from consideration and New Castle County is supportive of the addition of the section to the designation. The bill also includes a 7.4-mile stretch of stream in Pennsylvania’s New Garden Township that was originally omitted due to its consideration for a dam. That consideration has since been withdrawn and the Township is now supportive of the designation.

“This important piece of legislation will help safeguard one of Delaware’s great outdoor treasures,” Senator Carper said. “Through preserving nine additional miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries, this measure will help ensure that Delawareans will continue to enjoy this waterway’s natural, cultural and recreational benefits for generations to come.” 

“White Clay Creek is a source of clean drinking water and other natural resources, while serving as the home to an array of different birds, fish and other wildlife,” Congressman Carney said. “The Wild and Scenic Rivers designation is critical to preserving the future health and vibrancy of White Clay Creek. In the coming months, I’m hopeful that Congress will give this bipartisan legislation the consideration it deserves.”              

The bill has earned the strong support of local communities.

“This legislation completes the task of ensuring watershed-wide protection to the White Clay Creek and its tributaries,” Kevin Donnelly, the district coordinator for the New Castle County Conservation District, said. “The passage of this important legislation can provides real benefits to the nearly 100,000 people who live within the White Clay Creek Watershed by protecting the local drinking water supply for tens of thousands of people and countless businesses who live and work in the City of Newark and New Castle County; safeguarding important habitat for fish and wildlife species while preserving treasured historic sites and scenic vistas throughout the 69,000 acre watershed; and boosting the local economy by attracting visitors to the watershed and providing jobs for the employees of  companies whose businesses depend on the health and vitality of a free flowing and high quality White Clay Creek.”

“The White Clay Creek Steering Committee is hopeful that the reintroduced expansion bill will be enacted during this session of Congress,” Shane Morgan, the management plan coordinator for the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic Program, said. “If passed, the Act would add approximately nine miles of river segments to the existing 190 miles already protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers designation with no associated federal cost. It is a win-win for both the environment, as it provides more comprehensive protection for the watershed; and its residents, who treasure this scenic valley for its recreational and natural resources, and rely on it for clean drinking water.”

In 2000, Congress designated a large majority of White Clay Creek and its tributaries as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Then-Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) was the lead sponsor for the Senate bill and Representative Mike Castle (R-Del.-AL) was the lead sponsor for the House version. This marked the first time a whole watershed, rather than individual river segments, had been designated into the system. The proposal to expand the designation was led by former Senator Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) in the Senate and Representative Pitts in the House.

The 69,000-acre White Clay Creek watershed is home to 33 species of mammals, 21 species of fish, 27 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 90 species of birds. White Clay Creek is also stocked with brown and rainbow trout and is an important resource for fishermen. Protected land in the watershed provides recreational opportunities for hikers, bikers, birders, hunters, and others. White Clay Creek and the Cockeysville aquifer that lies beneath portions of the watershed are important sources of drinking water for over 128,000 citizens in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The bill passed the Senate in the 112^th Congress by a voice vote, but failed to get out of committee in the House.

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Carper, Coons, Carney: 50 employers will be at New Castle County job fair next Wednesday

NEWARK, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney announced on Wednesday that nearly 50 employers from around the region have already signed up for their New Castle County job fair next Wednesday, March 6, but that there is still room for about five more businesses who are looking for talented new employees. Combined, the employers are hiring for about 600 open positions across an array of skill sets.

The New Castle County job fair is being organized with Brandywine Counseling and will be held at the Embassy Suites in Newark from 10 am to 2 pm.

Employers already registered for next week’s fair include:

Private Companies: Advanced Student Transportation, Telamon Corporation (Head Start), Bayada Home Care, Griswold Special Care, Home Instead Senior Care, Interim Healthcare, AFLAC, AVON, Dr. Energy Saver (Delmarva Energy), Metro Merchant Services, Prominent Insurance, Viridian Energy, APM Inc., Prince Telecom, Playtex, Markatos Services Inc., AAA Club Partners, Discover Financial Services, Goodwill of Delaware, Metro Merchant Services, SafeLink Wireless, American Registry of Pathology, Beasley Broadcast Group, Massage and Reflexology of Delaware, New Behavioral Network, Tech Impact, WSFS Bank, Bank of America, Citi, Diamond State Financial Group, New York Life, Sallie Mae, Waddell and Reed Inc.

Government Agencies: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, Delaware National Guard, State of Delaware, Delaware Department of Transportation, State of Delaware Office of Volunteerism, New Castle County Government, Dover Police Department, New Castle County Police

Additionally, the following organizations will have tables at the fair on their offerings for job seekers:

University of Delaware Transition to Teaching Partnership, Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification, Delaware Department of Labor/Vocational Rehabilitation Division, Delaware Department of Labor, Clarifi, Right Management.

In addition to networking with employers looking to hire, job seekers will also be able to participate in job-search skills workshops, career counseling, and have their resumes reviewed by experts.

Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and Congressman Carney will host additional job fairs in Sussex County in April and in Kent County in June.

For more information on how to participate as an employer or job seeker, please call 302-573-6345 or email workshop@coons.senate.gov.

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Statement from Senator Coons ahead of Supreme Court arguments on Voting Rights Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the sponsor of legislation to reform our nation’s elections to prevent the kind of voter disenfranchisement experienced in 2012, issued the following statement ahead of the Supreme Court’s arguments on Shelby County v. Holder on Wednesday. 

“Voting rights in this country are under attack, and the Supreme Court could remove a critical tool that is working to protect those fundamental rights.

“Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will consider whether to invalidate the key provision of the Voting Rights Act — one that protects the fundamental right of every American to cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice.

“As the Supreme Court hears arguments in Shelby County v. Holder, justices will test the constitutionality of the Act’s requirement that jurisdictions with a history of racially based voting discrimination ‘pre-clear’ changes to their voting laws. Opponents of the law argue that the Act is unconstitutional because it only requires voting practices in areas with deep, historical discrimination patterns to be pre-cleared, while other jurisdictions need not. 

“Quite simply, they are wrong. The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that Congress may distinguish between the states and even between political subdivisions within states when acting to remedy voting discrimination. This determination is for Congress — not the Courts — to make. 

“There is another, practical reason why the Supreme Court ought to leave the Voting Rights Act alone: any state or subdivision is free to petition the Department of Justice to be exempted from the preclearance requirements of the Act. States, counties and towns have the ongoing opportunity to show that Congress’ determination of past discrimination no longer applies. Since 2006, 28 jurisdictions have succeeded in gaining exemption from this provision – about the same as during the first 41 years since the Voting Rights Act was originally passed.

“The Voting Rights Act is landmark civil rights legislation and should be preserved. By requiring that covered jurisdictions carry the burden of showing that changes to voting laws will not act to discriminate against minorities and are not motivated by a purpose to discriminate, the law has been incredibly successful in preventing most covered jurisdictions from even attempting to pass discriminatory voting laws. It is working well and the Supreme Court should leave it alone. I am confident that it will.”

Congressional delegation applauds launch of United States-South Africa Business Council

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), and U.S. Representatives Karen Bass (D-CA-37) and Terri Sewell (D-AL-7) on Wednesday joined the launch of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-South Africa Business Council. The Council will focus on expanding the commercial relationship between the two countries and facilitate strengthened bilateral trade and investment. In addition to launching the Council, the delegation participated in a meeting with the board of the American Chamber of Commerce to discuss ways to improve U.S. business opportunities in South Africa.

The delegation issued the following statement:

“We applaud the launch of United States-South Africa Business Council and look forward to forging even stronger economic ties between the American and South African private sectors. This is a critical moment for American businesses to engage in South Africa, our largest non-oil African trading partner. U.S. exports to South Africa have more than doubled since 2000, and U.S. direct investment in South Africa is at an all-time high.

“Africa is a continent of enormous opportunity, and the U.S.-South Africa Business Council has the potential to help American businesses capitalize on it. This Council will build support in South Africa and the United States for the kinds of policies that can strengthen U.S. investment in South Africa, boost exports, and create jobs. Similarly, increased exposure to the opportunities afforded by the South African market will lead to more American companies choosing to do business here.

“The U.S.-South Africa relationship is essential, and we are committed to working in the Senate and the House — and across the aisle — to further mutually beneficial cooperation between the United States and South Africa in the areas of trade, investment, security, development and health.”