YALI Act of 2021

Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of Ms. Bass, the author of this legislation, the Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021.

The chairman has described the bill. This is an important piece of legislation, as we help try to nourish and develop the next generation of African leadership.

This is an important initiative for the United States to build on those ties, to build those bridges. I commend Congresswoman Bass for her leadership on the YALI program and for this legislation. I urge its passage. I will include the full statement of Ms. Bass in the Record.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 965, the Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021, introduced by my good friend and Chairwoman of the Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights Subcommittee, Congresswoman Karen Bass. Her leadership both on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and on this bill is unparalleled, and I am honored to speak on her behalf today.

I also wish to thank Chairman Meeks and ranking Member McCaul for bringing this important legislation to the House floor.

The YALI Act of 2021, is a bipartisan bill that seeks to build the capacity of young African leaders in Africa in the areas of civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and business development by:

Offering professional development and a global network to share expertise, including in the areas of civic leadership, elections, human rights, good governance, and public management;

Providing increased economic and technical assistance to young leaders and entrepreneurs; and strengthening business and economic ties between the United States and the continent;

Awarding Mandela Washington Fellowships to young leaders who have had a positive impact in their communities and demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership;

Establishing regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa allowing young leaders to strengthen their skills and aptitude in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership.

The YALI program has two vital components that will be carried out by participants in the program. The U.S.-based component led by the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator for USAID will include the following:

The Mandela Washington Fellows will participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S.-based university or college focusing on business, civic engagement, or public management. The sessions will include professional networking opportunities, community service, cultural activities, academic learning, and leadership training.

The Mandela Washington Fellows will also participate in the annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit held in Washington, D.C., which will provide an opportunity to meet with U.S. leaders from the private, public, and NGO sectors.

The YALI program was built on the premise of young leaders strengthening their knowledge and skills at U.S. institutions, connecting with other Africans from different regions and countries in Africa, and ensuring young leaders can harness their skills and take them back to their home countries while strengthening their own business, public, and civic spaces.

The YALI Act of 2021 would also continue to allow the United States to support and help strengthen the Africa-based component of the program including:

Quality leadership training, professional development, networking, and online courses for Mandela Washington Fellowship alumni when they return to their home countries;

Opportunities for networking with alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship; alumni of participants at the YALI Regional Leadership Centers; and American and African professionals and experts; and

Opportunities through the United States Africa Development Foundation to facilitate professional development and sharing of expertise in the home countries of Mandela Washington Fellowship alumni and throughout the African continent.

Through the implementation of the YALI Act of 2021, the United States will:

Promote U.S. policy goals in Africa by providing tools and resources to help young African leaders develop important skills and connections through online campaigns and public diplomacy initiatives; and establish a system for monitoring, evaluating, and continued improvement of the YALI program.

The bipartisan support of H.R. 965 shows that this bill is critical to U.S. national security. It also highlights that our relationship with Africa is a priority, and we want to continue to rebuild and strengthen our partnership in trade and investment, peace and security, and human rights and good governance, because it is in the best interest of the United States and Africa.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 965) to establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 965.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 965, the YALI Act of 2021, introduced by Representatives Karen Bass and Chris Smith.

Since 2010 the Young African Leaders Initiative has been building the next generation of Africa's youth to lead the way in civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and business development.

We must remember that by 2050, almost one-third of the world's population will be in Africa, and the United States must continue to forge strong ties with our African partners and cultivate its youth for a future of principled leadership.

By helping Africa's young leaders, YALI remains an important avenue for promoting U.S. foreign policy goals in Africa. It will be key in strengthening our partnerships with African countries that are working to create the pathway for Africa's youth to make positive and enduring impacts on their communities.

If passed, H.R. 965 will provide a strong mandate for the implementation and congressional oversight of YALI and its key initiatives, including the U.S.-based Mandela Washington Fellowship and the Regional Leadership Centers established throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

This, too, is a very important bill. I support it and urge my colleagues to do the same. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), the distinguished president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and esteemed member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Madam Speaker, I will just say quickly thanks to Representatives Bass and Chris Smith. This will help build the next generation of Africa's youth. I hope all my colleagues will join me in voting for this very important bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I rise in support H.R. 965, of which I am a cosponsor, introduced by my friend and colleague, chairwoman of the Africa Subcommittee, Karen Bass, to strengthen and formalize our Young African Leaders Initiative program.

The YALI program identifies and invites young leaders from across the African continent to participate in training programs that enhance their leadership skills. Among these individuals, some are selected to participate in the Mandela Washington Fellowship here in the United States.

I have met and spoken with YALI leaders who have participated in the Mandela Fellowship program through Rutgers University in my home state of New Jersey. They are the leaders of tomorrow.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and again, thank you to Chairwoman Bass for her leadership.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 965, the Young African Leaders Initiative Act, led by Representative Bass and Representative Smith.

YALI provides fellowship opportunities at U.S. universities and other training programs at Regional Leadership Centers throughout sub-Saharan Africa on leadership skills, entrepreneurship, and effective public administration.

Not only is this an investment in future generations of African leaders, but this is also effective diplomacy. At a time when the Chinese Communist Party is ramping up exchange programs across the continent and establishing Confucius Institutes, programs like YALI are critical to providing alternate opportunities.

I urge my colleagues to support this important measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 120, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 121, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 122, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 123, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 124, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 125, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 126, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 127, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 128, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 129, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 130, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 131, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 132, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 133.