Thank you, Congressman Chris Smith!

June 24, 2013

We applaud Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations for holding a timely hearing on Ethiopia last Thursday, June 20, 2013.

Congressman Smith has remained resolute in his mission and steadfast in his resolve to stand behind Ethiopians in their struggle for democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Congressman Smith is the embodiment of the very best in America- a man of impeccable integrity, a truth teller and a true of friend of Ethiopia and Ethiopians in their long struggle towards freedom from tyranny.

Ethiopians are grateful for Congressman Smith for always standing firm for core American values and for his impassioned defense of victims of human rights abuse throughout the world in his long and distinguished career in Congress.

We thank him profusely for introducing legislation, along with the late Congressman Donald Payne, to sanction the Ethiopian regime for the killing of peaceful protesters in 2005 and its broader violations of human rights.

Congressman Smith has promised to introduce a similar bill again. No words can describe the joy and immense gratitude the people of Ethiopia feel for his kind gesture , for his humanity, his leadership in the Sub-committee on Africa and his unflagging support for the people of Ethiopia

We urge all Ethiopians to call his office at 202-225-3765 to thank him for his relentless effort for the cause of justice, democracy and respect for human rights in Ethiopia.