Senate Unanimously Passes
McDermott Africa Trade Bill
For Immediate Release - June 25, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - "This is Africa's day," Congressman Jim McDermott said after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a new US-Africa trade bill known as AGOA.

The Senate version was identical to the House Bill sponsored by Republican Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas and Democrat Jim McDermott. The House unanimously passed the bill last week.

AGOA to date has enabled 37 African nations to develop their economies and significantly improve the quality of life for people by granting trade relations with the United States based on improvements in human rights and the Rule of Law.

McDermott has been in the forefront of AGOA leadership and across Africa, McDermott is commonly referred to as the Father of AGOA.

The House and Senate action comes at a crucial time because key AGOA provisions were due to expire in September and the uncertainty was beginning to affect long term business contract and relationships.

"While AGOA is fundamentally a trade bill, its meaning and intent goes far beyond trade, and directly to supporting Africa achieve its own destiny," McDermott said. "I am proud that at least once this year, Democrats and Republicans could silence the partisan rhetoric and speak together to the cause of humanity and a road to peace."

McDermott said AGOA provides economic development tools and opportunities that will help support Africa's fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, will help reduce poverty and malnutrition, and will offer real hope for the future.

"When we look back on this day ten or twenty years from now, and see what Africa has become, I believe AGOA will be remembered as one of America's finest moments."

Read Seattle Times article on the Senate passage of AGOA III...

Visit McDermott's AGOA website...