Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced the following upcoming events: 

Tuesday, May 7 

Hearing: Local and Private Sector Initiatives to Combat International Human Trafficking

10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building 

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman 

Invited witnesses include:

Mr. Don Knabe
Supervisor, Fourth District
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Mr. Bradley Myles
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
Polaris Project

Shawn MacDonald, Ph.D.
Director of Programs and Research
Verité

Chairman Royce on the hearing:

“Human trafficking is a global problem, but not a faraway problem.  In fact, some of the world’s estimated 20 million victims, primarily women andgirls, are in our own neighborhoods.  At this hearing, the Committee will focus on innovative local and private sector partnerships that are connecting and equipping communities around the world to combat this modern-day slavery. 

“This transnational crime is a problem in Orange and Los Angeles counties and throughout southern California.  So, I am eager to hear the testimony of Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, who has become widelyrecognized as a leader in the fight against human trafficking.  Also, I look forward to hearing the private sector witnesses whose work greatly helps victims, in part by helping businesses ensure that their supply chains are ‘trafficking free.’”

Tuesday, May 7

Subcommittee Hearing: Increasing American Jobs through Greater Exports to Africa

2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman

Invited witnesses include:

Mr. Stephen Lande
President
Manchester Trade

Mr. Peter C. Hansen
Principal Counsel
Law Offices of Peter C. Hansen, LLC 

Sharon T. Freeman, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
All American Small Business Exporters Association

 

Wednesday, May 8

Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye Addresses Joint Meeting of Congress   

10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8 in U.S. Capitol

Chairman Royce on the meeting: 

“I am delighted that President Park Guen-hye will have the opportunity to address a joint meeting of Congress.  I greatly appreciate Speaker Boehner extending this invitation to President Park.  America’s close relationship with South Korea, forged 60-years ago during the dark days of the Korean War, remains strong and vibrant to this very day.  On the 60th Anniversary of the Armistice of the Korean War, I believe it is only fitting to bestow this high honor to Northeast Asia’s first elected female head of state.  I worked closely with the Speaker on the joint meeting following my visit to South Korea where I met with then-President-elect Park.  I share her commitment to the U.S.-Republic of Korea partnership, and I am confident that she will work to deepen economic and defense cooperation between our two countries with a shared belief in freedom and democracy.  As the threat from the belligerent North Korean regime continues, a strong relationship is critical.  I look forward to welcoming a good friend of the United States to Congress.”

 

Wednesday, May 8

Subcommittee Hearing: The Threat of China’s Unsafe Consumables

2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building 

Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Chairman 

Invited witnesses include:

Mr. William Triplett II
Author and Consultant
Former Chief Republican Counsel, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Ms. Patty Lovera
Assistant Director
Food & Water Watch

Chairman Rohrabacher on the hearing:

“While it has long been recognized that Chinese farms and factories produce dangerous goods with a disregard for public safety, not enough attention has been paid to China’s export of contaminated and poisonous foods. Consumers around the world are at risk and a huge number have already been hurt. Yet, there are larger problems as well. China cuts corners and uses inferior ingredients to gain a cost advantage in world markets, threatening food security in developing countries and undermining the competitiveness of American exports.

“Congress needs to address this challenge to protect those who might consume these dangerous products and to promote quality American goods that can successfully compete in world markets.”

Thursday, May 9 

Subcommittee Hearing: Resolving International Parental Child Abductions to Non-Hague Convention Countries 

10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 9 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman

Invited witnesses include: 

Panel I 

The Honorable Susan Jacobs
Special Advisor for Children’s Issues
Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Panel II 

Ms. Patricia Apy
Attorney
Paras, Apy & Reiss, P.C.

Ms. Bindu Philips
Mother of Children Abducted to India

Mr. Colin Bower
Father of Children Abducted to Egypt

Mr. Michael Elias
Father of Children Abducted to Japan 

Mr. David Goldman
Father of Child Abducted to Brazil

 

***See foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.

***Coverage note:  All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live atforeignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed.

 

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