On Tuesday, March 8, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the Africa, Global Health and Human Rights Subcommittee, will hold a hearing with the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and human rights groups, including actor-writer-director, Ben Affleck, founder of the Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI).

    The hearing, entitled “The Democratic Republic of the Congo: Securing Peace in the Midst of Tragedy,” will be held at 1 p.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building (and available live, via the WEBCAST link on the House Foreign Affairs Committee website.)
 
    Witnesses include: Donald Y. Yamamoto, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. State Dept.; Rajakumari Jandhyala, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, USAID; Francisca Vigaud-Walsh, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Advisor at Catholic Relief Services; John Prendergast of The Enough Project; and Affleck.

    “I’m pleased to have Ben and the other distinguished witnesses testify on the plight of the people of the Congo,” Smith said. “A lot is happening around the world, but our aim is to draw attention to this horrific, long-term crisis and the immense suffering taking place. The Congress and the world community must work together to bring hope and a better future to the DRC.”

    Affleck plans to testify about the work of the ECI, including his travel to the DRC.

    “Chairman Smith’s leadership on the Congo has been steady and focused for many years,” said Affleck. “I am honored to work together to bring increased investment and attention, from both the public and private sectors to the devastating humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo. The people of eastern Congo are remarkably resilient and Congressman Smith’s leadership is helping the Congolese rise above their troubled past.”