CBCF President Applauds Removal of Nelson Mandela From Terror Watch List
CBCF African Globalism Committee’s Trip To South Africa Highlighted Issue on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF), today applauded Congress for voting late Thursday to remove Nelson Mandela, the former South African president and 27-year political prisoner from United States terrorist watch lists. Under the terror lists, President Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, must apply for a visa waiver to travel to America.

CBCF learned of President Mandela’s status last fall when its president and chief executive officer, Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., and two members of its Board of Directors, Rep. Barbara Lee of California and Delegate Donna M. Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands, spent a week in South Africa visiting health-related sites and conducting meetings with government officials in that country.

“Quite frankly, we were indignant and sickened that a man who is an international symbol for freedom would be subjected to such treatment,” Dr. Scott said. “We also learned that other African National Congress (ANC) members needed ‘special permission’ to visit this country.”

Rep. Lee was an original co-sponsor of H.R. 5690, the House bill intended to remove current and former ANC members from U.S. travel and terrorism watch lists. The measure unanimously passed the House in early May. After passage through the Senate last night, the measure is now headed to the White House for President Bush’s signature.

“President Mandela and the ANC were the ones that were on the forefront to end apartheid and bring democracy to South Africa,” Dr. Scott said. “Rep. Lee, the chairwoman of the Foundation’s African Globalism Committee, made the commitment to do everything she could to vindicate his name and the good will of the ANC. She was determined for this country to show honor and respect for President Mandela in time for his 90th birthday.”

President Mandela will celebrate his 90th birthday on July 18.

“Because of President Mandela’s inspiring story, which includes faith, hope and forgiveness, we have a lot to celebrate in the United States,” Dr. Scott said. “I am happy that the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Congressional Black Caucus helped to spur Congress into the proper action: removing his name from the lists and restoring honor to his legacy.”

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. (CBCF) was established in 1976 as a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative and public policy arenas.