,,iii ,calendar ,no4 #dih #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #ebb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #bd1 #bjad,mr4 ,coons 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,flake1 ,mr4 ,menendez1 ,mr4 ,corker1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 and ,mrs4 ,shaheen7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,july #bi1 #bjad,reported by ,mr4 ,menendez1 without amendment ,,resolution ,expressing the sense of the ,senate supporting the ,u4,s4-,africa ,leaders ,summit to be held in ,washington1 ,d4,c41 from ,august #d through #f1 #bjad4 ,whereas the ,united ,states will convene the first ,u4,s4-,africa ,leaders ,summit from ,august #d through ,august #f1 #bjad1 featuring a congressional reception welcoming ,african heads of state1 the ,u4,s4-,africa ,business ,forum1 the ,african ,growth and ,opportunity ,act 7,,agoa7 ,forum1 and dialogue sessions between ,african leaders and ,president ,barack ,obama on investing in ,africa's future1 promoting peace and regional stability1 and governing for the next generation2 ,whereas the ,u4,s4-,africa ,leaders ,summit will be the largest event held between the ,united ,states ,government and ,african heads of state and governments2 ,whereas the ,u4,s4-,africa ,leaders ,summit will build on the ,president's trip to ,africa in the summer of #bjac and will strengthen ties between the ,united ,states and one of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world2 ,whereas the ,united ,states ,government has built strong and enduring partnerships with ,african heads of state bilaterally and through the ,united ,nations1 ,african ,union1 and ,african regional institutions2 ,whereas the ,united ,states ,government has demonstrated its commitment to ,africa's development and growth through resources1 legislation1 economic relationships1 and initiatives1 including the ,african ,growth and ,opportunity ,act 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #cgja et seq471 ,power ,africa1 ,feed the ,future1 ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation compacts1 and other efforts led by the ,department of ,state1 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 the ,overseas ,private ,investment ,corporation1 the ,department of ,commerce1 and other agencies of the ,united ,states ,government2 ,whereas there are #aj authorized ,united ,nations peacekeeping operations in ,africa with over #id1jjj ,united ,nations peacekeepers working to promote peace and stability for over #aca1jjj1jjj people across the continent1 in addition to additional missions led by the ,african ,union1 with ,united ,states and international support and training2 ,whereas the ,united ,states has served as the global leader in investments and innovations in health across ,africa1 contributing significant resources to improvements in health over the past two decades through ,united ,states-led programs such as the ,president's ,emergency ,plan for ,,aids ,relief 7,,pepfar71 the ,president's ,malaria ,initiative 7,,pmi71 and the ,global ,alliance for ,vaccines and ,immunization 7,,gavi72 ,whereas1 through its investments in health across #af priority countries in ,africa over the last two decades1 the ,united ,states ,government has contributed to the reduction of child mortality rates by #dd percent and the reduction of maternal mortality rates by #ci percent2 ,whereas the majority of the fastest growing economies in the world are in ,africa1 and the continent's steady annual economic growth rate of #e percent has exceeded that of other regions in the world2 ,whereas there are currently #a1jjj1jjj1jjj ,africans representing the fastest growing population in the world1 and by #bjce1 the ,african continent will have the world's largest workforce2 ,whereas individual nations in ,africa and the ,african ,union have made significant achievements and remarkable progress since the inception of the ,african ,union #ea years ago and its transition from the ,organization of ,african ,unity2 ,whereas the ,united ,states ,government1 recognizing the importance of ,africa's youth and future generations1 has invested in the next generation of ,african entrepreneurs1 educators1 civic leaders1 and innovators1 including through the ,united ,states-led ,young ,african ,leaders ,initiative 7,,yali71 helping them develop skills and networks to build brighter futures for their communities and countries2 and ,whereas the ,united ,states ,government is looking forward to hosting #ej heads of state and the ,chair of the ,african ,union at the ,u4,s4-,africa ,leaders ,summit to demonstrate the ,united ,states commitment to ,africa1 deepen partnerships1 and determine concrete ways that the ,united ,states can support ,african-led efforts to further peace and regional security1 advance democracy and good governance1 improve health and education services1 increase trade and investment1 address environmental issues1 improve resilience and food security1 combat wildlife trafficking1 invest in women1 and support the next generation of ,african leaders3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 deeply values the historic ,united ,states commitment to ,africa2 7#b7 affirms a future commitment to increased economic partnership with ,africa2 7#c7 supports innovations in development and an expanded partnership with the private sector1 including in the areas of energy1 food security1 and health2 7#d7 supports efforts to facilitate increased trade and investment between the ,united ,states and ,africa1 as well as amongst ,african countries2 7#e7 supports ongoing ,african-led efforts to improve peacekeeping1 prevent atrocities1 and combat violent extremism and terrorism2 7#f7 affirms the enduring partnership of the people and ,government of the ,united ,states with the ,african people1 including the youth1 and urges ,african leaders to invest in this generation of young people1 as well as the next generation2 7#g7 encourages leaders in ,africa to make efforts toward strengthening good governance1 the rule of law1 and democracy1 including respecting constitutional term limits1 human rights1 and ensuring that civil society organizations are able to function freely in their countries2 7#h7 supports ongoing efforts to protect and promote women and children1 including through investments in education and maternal1 newborn1 and child health2 7#i7 reaffirms the strong ,united ,states investment in health in ,africa1 and anticipates leaders in ,africa making greater and sustainable investments in healthcare2 7#aj7 commends ,african investments in preventing wildlife trafficking and supports further investments1 including training and equipping enforcement teams in ,africa2 7#aa7 urges ,african heads of state to take concrete steps to implement reforms that will further economic growth1 good governance1 democracy1 peace1 security1 rule of law1 and development2 and 7#ab7 expresses support for the ,u4,s4-,africa ,leaders ,summit from ,august #d through ,august #f1 #bjad4 ,july #bi1 #bjad,reported without amendment