U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, is convening a news conference with Congressional colleagues to officially receive recommendations for the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from the African diplomatic corps.

    The news conference will be held:

WHEN: Wed., July 31, at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Room 2200 in the Rayburn House Office Building.

    The diplomatic corps report will be presented by the co-chairs of the African diplomats’ working group on AGOA:  Mauritius Ambassador Somduth Soborun and Ethiopia Ambassador Girma Birru Geda.

    Joining Chairman Smith (NJ-04) will be Chairman Edward Royce (CA-39) of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37). Chairman Royce was the leader on the House floor for the original AGOA bill and subsequent AGOA legislation.

    Over the past several months, the Committee has worked with the African diplomatic group on AGOA issues through a series of meetings.

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