PRESS RELEASE
United States Congress
Representative Mike Honda
15th District – California
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) will be celebrating the Ethiopian Millennium today and tomorrow at two major national events organized by the Ethiopian-American community.
Today, he will be a guest speaker at the Ethiopian New Year’s Eve event on the Mall and on Wednesday, Honda will participate in the opening ceremony of the March for Democracy, to commence on the West Steps of the Capitol.
“It is important, now more than ever, to celebrate the culture of democracy and understand that its values need to be cherished and nurtured, wherever its ideals are preached,” said Honda, chair of the Congressional Ethiopian-American Caucus. “This should be not just a celebration of traditions, but also a reminder that the future is being forged today.”
Recently, Honda introduced H.Res.550 congratulating the people of Ethiopia on the second Millennium of their country. The resolution was co-authored by Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ). Honda hopes the attention surrounding the Millennium will highlight priority issues such as political reconciliation and international aid and development.
The celebrations will also underscore the importance of Ethiopia as a key nation in the birth of the Pan-African movement, and the original home to nearly one million people residing in the United States . Ethiopian-Americans make up the second largest African immigrant community in the United States . The African Union has already declared the Ethiopia Millennium as the African Millennium.
“In the wake of a tumultuous period in Ethiopian history, it was important for us to do more to increase the visibility of a country that has been a long-time friend of the United States ,” said Honda, emphasizing that the two countries have had relations since 1903. ¨We also wanted show our appreciation to the Ethiopian-American community for all their ongoing contributions to our society.¨
Ethiopia ’s calendar is based on the Orthodox Tewahedo Calendar, which is based on Ethiopia ’s ancient Coptic calendar – the West follows the Gregorian calendar.
Honda also announced an event, to be held October 10, which he will host in 1300 Longworth Agriculture Committee Room. The event seeks to highlight this legislation, and to generate support for development issues the Ethiopia Caucus is committed to solving, such as the battle over coffee trademarks between Ethiopia and the National Coffee Association.
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Contact: José Dante Parra: 202.225.3327
[email protected]