Rep. Keith Ellison: Committed to Africa
A look at the congressman's greatest African overtures.
1 / 9
Committed to Africa - At the urging of his Somalian constituents, Congressman Keith Ellison traveled to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday, Feb. 19 to help build the relationship between the United States and the fledgling Somali government. Here, BET.com takes a look at some of Rep. Ellison’s greatest overtures toward Africans at home and in the diaspora. — Naeesa Aziz (Photo: Chuck Kennedy/MCT /Landov)
2 / 9
Representing for His District - Congressman Keith Ellison represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Minnesota has one of the largest populations of Somali-Americans in the U.S. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)
3 / 9
Somalia Visit - Just one month after the Obama administration formally recognized the Somali government, Ellison became the first member of Congress to visit the country in Feb. 2013."I told my constituency I would come here and work for the United States and Somalia relationship, and I am doing that in today's visit," Ellison told reporters in Mogadishu. (Photo: AP Photo)
4 / 9
Welcoming Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud - In Jan. 2013, Ellison welcomed Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to the United States Capitol in a bi-partisan meeting with members of Congress. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
5 / 9
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act - In March 2011, Ellison introduced the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, which would allow Liberian nationals who have resided in the United States legally to apply for permanent residency. “Liberian-Americans enrich our communities in Minnesota and we owe it to them to finally resolve their immigration status,” Ellison said. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 9
Convening in Cairo - In 2011, Ellison, the first Muslim in Congress, traveled to Cairo to speak on religion and politics in civil society."Liberty and freedom do not know one country, and liberty and freedom are not confined to one people," said Ellison. "Even those of us who have some freedom have to be reminded of what we take for granted, and the best way to be reminded is to be with people who have just snatched freedom for themselves." (Photo: REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori /LANDOV)
7 / 9
Ellison Supports Obama Aid Boost - “The thousands of Minnesota residents with family members in the Horn of Africa welcome this much-needed humanitarian aid and I thank President Obama for taking this important step,” said Ellison in Dec. 2011 about President Obama’s decision to send $113 million in emergency food relief. “Millions of people in that region are affected by the famine and almost 250,000 are on the brink of starvation right now so the timing of this latest aid is crucial.” (Photo: REUTERS/Hudson Apunyo)
8 / 9
Resolute on Libya Resolutions - In 2011, amid the turmoil surrounding the NATO-led invasion of Libya, Ellison spoke out against resolutions concerning U.S. involvement in Libya on the grounds that “they would have limited our [U.S.] ability to respond to humanitarian emergencies.” (Photo: AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon, File)