Child Survivor of Boko Haram Attack to Brief Committee Members Prior to Hearing

*Note RSVP requirement for press covering hearing*

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, TOMORROW will convene a hearing to examine the Administration’s response to Boko Haram, particularly the terrorist organization’s recent kidnapping of hundreds of Nigerian girls.  The hearing entitled, “Boko Haram: The Growing Threat to Schoolgirls, Nigeria, and Beyond” will begin at 9:45 a.m.

Immediately prior to the hearing, Committee Members will hear from Deborah Peter, a 15-year-old girl originally from the village of Chibok, Nigeria, the town where nearly 300 schoolgirls have been abducted by Boko Haram.  Deborah is the first female survivor of a Boko Haram attack to visit Washington, D.C. and is currently studying at Mountain Mission School in the U.S.   At the conclusion of this briefing, Ms. Peter, Chairman Royce, and Ranking Member Engel (D-NY) will participate in a brief media availability.  (See below for information on covering the briefing.)

On the hearing and briefing by Ms. Peter, Chairman Royce said:  “For years, Boko Haram has tortured and frightened communities throughout Nigeria.  The latest victims of the ‘Nigerian Taliban’ are hundreds of young girls simply seeking an education.   It is time for a more aggressive U.S. response to this al-Qaeda-affiliated group, which threatens U.S. interests too.  This hearing will provide the Committee an opportunity to press the Administration on how it is responding to this growing threat, most immediately aiding the Nigerian government to free these young kidnapping victims.  It is clear that more needs to be done.  Sitting down with Deborah Peter before the hearing and listening to her heart-wrenching story puts a face on the vile terror of Boko Haram.” 

BRIEFING INFORMATION

What: 
Photo/video spray and Royce-Engel-Peter media availability at conclusion of briefing by Deborah Peter, 15-year-old survivor of a Boko Haram attack

When: 
9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21 (credentialed press assembly time 9:00 a.m. outside 2200 Rayburn HOB)

Where:
2200 Rayburn House Office Building

Who:
Deborah Peter, 15-year-old survivor of a Boko Haram attack

Chairman Ed Royce, Ranking Member Eliot Engel

HEARING INFORMATION

What:
Hearing: “Boko Haram: The Growing Threat to Schoolgirls, Nigeria, and Beyond”

When:
9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21

Where:
2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Witnesses:
The Honorable Sarah Sewall
Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
U.S. Department of State                                   

Ms. Amanda J. Dory
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs
U.S. Department of Defense

**Important planning note for press covering hearing**

The Members-only briefing by Deborah Peter will begin at 8:30 a.m.  At approximately 9:15 a.m., credentialed journalists will be admitted to the briefing room (2200 Rayburn) for a brief photo/video spray and Royce-Engel-Peter media availability.  At 9:45 a.m., the Committee will move to the hearing room (2172 Rayburn) for the OPEN PRESS hearing.  See coverage notes below.

The hearing will be webcast at foreignaffairs.house.gov.

The hearing room will likely not be able to accommodate all members of the media wishing to cover the hearing from the press viewing area. 

Only Congressionally credentialed members of the media will be allowed access to the press viewing area in the committee hearing room and must RSVP to their respective Press Gallery by 2pm on Tuesday, May 20.

All television crews must RSVP to the House Radio TV Gallery at 202-225-5214.  Gallery contact information:

House Radio/TV Gallery:  202-225-5214
House Periodical Gallery:  202-225-2941
House Daily Press Gallery:  202-225-3945  
Photographer Gallery:  202-224-6548

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