president biden: our nation's original sin, a civil war that nearlier to our nation apart -- nearly tore our nation apart. and the long battle of jim crow. the civil rights and voting rights movement, which got me involved in the public life. during which american cities were burned. to the still unfinished reckons with racial injustice in my country today. historians believe people of angola accounted for a significant number of all enslaved people shipped to america. today millions of african-americans have roots in angola. as i said at the u.s.-african leaders summit i held in washington two years ago, our people lie at the heart of a deep and profound connection

that forever binds africa and the united states together. we remember the stolen men and women and children who were brought to our shores in chains, subjected to unimaginable cruelty. here with us today are three americans who are direct descendants of the first enslaved americans, africans in america. wanda tucker of virginia. there you are, god love you. her brother, vincent. and carly thea as well -- carlita as well. thank you for being here. we're going to write history, not erase history. the tuckers learned their family history around the dinner table. that history led wanda here to angola a few years ago. she didn't know how to speak the language but that didn't matter. when she arrived, she said she felt something profound, like she'd come home.

that was her comment to me. she called it the connection without words. ladies and gentlemen, i'm here today to honor that connection between our people and to pay tribute to the generations of angolans and american families like the tuckers who have served in government for -- i've served in government for over 50 years. i know i only look like i'm 40 years old. but i've been around. i hate to admit it. for 50 years. but not 50 years -- in that 50 years i've learned a lot. perhaps most importantly i've learned that while history can be hidden, it cannot and should not be erased. it should be faced. it's our duty to face our history. the good, the bad and the ugly. the whole truth. that's what great nations do. that's why i chose to speak here at the national slavery museum today. just as i toured. and that's why your president visited the national museum of african-american culture in

washington, d.c. the second most visited museum in the states. and he did it a few years ago. he saw what i see. a stark contradiction between my country's founding principles of liberty, justice and equality, and the way we long treated people from angola and from throughout africa. i've often said, america's the only nation in the world founded on an idea. most countries are founded based on race, ethnicity, religion, geography, some other attribute. but the united states is founded on an idea. one imbedded in our declaration of independence. that is that all men and women are created equal. they deserve to be treated equally throughout their lives. it's abundantly clear today we have not lived up to that idea. but we've never fully walked away from it either. that's due in no small part to the determination and dreams of african-americans. including angolan americans.

the proud descendants of the diaspora who helped build my nation as they rebuilt their own families and their own sense of self. they were the forbears as well. resilience, faithful, even hopeful. hopeful that joy would come in the morning, as it says in the bible. hopeful that our past would not be the story of our future. and hopeful in time the united states would write a different story in partnership with the people who were brought here in chains to my nation from africa. it's a story of mutual respect and mutual progress. that's the history that brings me here. the first american president ever to visit angola. over time, and i'm proud to be -- over time the connection between our countries has been transformed from distance to warmth. today the relationship is as

strong as it's ever been. throughout my presidency it's been my goal, goal of the united states to build a strong partnership with peoples and nations across the continent of africa. true part partnerships. bringing the dynamism of america's private sector and expertise of our government to support aspirations of african-american entrepreneur, experts, leaders, both inside and outside government. because we know the challenges define our age demand african relationship. one of every four human beings on earth will live in africa by the year 2025. and the ingenuity, determination of young africans in particular like the young societies i just met with here today will be undeniable forces in that human progress. that's why i'm so optimistic because of that generation. in no small part will be in their hands. in the hands of people across

africa. to expand access to clean energy. to tackle threats of global health. to grow global middle class. in many ways, africa's success is and will be the world's success. i have said at the united states u.s. africa summit, the united states is all in on africa's future. two years ago i pledged to deliver $55 million in new investments in africa. and to mobilize american businesses to close new deals with african partners. two years ago we were out way ahead of schedule. more than 20 head of u.s. government agencies and members of my cabinet have traveled to africa. delivering over $40 billion in investments thus far. and we announced nearly 1,200 new business deals between african-american companies and american companies totaling $52 billion.

including investments in solar energy, telecom, mobile finance, infrastructure, and partnerships with american airlines to expand opportunities for tourism. so you don't have to fly to paris to get here. although paris is pretty nice. here in angola alone, the united states has invested $3 billion during my short presidency. we see the bonds between our countries. across sectors, from clean energy, to health care, to sports. the american basketball association -- national basketball association launched basketball africa league, and angola is the reigning champion. [applause] we see the impact of american culture across -- african-american culture across american culture, from music, entertainment, fashion, arts, and so much more. student exchanges between our countries are essential and must

increase. students in both countries can be better understand one another if they know the country. if they visit the country. educated in the other country. and increase connection between us makes a big difference. be all in on africa means making sure african voices are heard at the tables that matter most. under my leadership the united states we brought in the african union as a permanent member of the g-20 economies. we insisted on more african representation among the leaders of the international monetary fund and other world financial institutions. we have also pushed to ensure the developing nations do not, do not choose, have to choose between paying down unsustainable debt, and being able to invest in their own people. we are using our own voice to increase autoafrica's presence in the u.n. security council in the united nations. that should happen. can you clap for that, folks. you should be in there.

the united states continues to be the world's largest provider of humanitarian aid and development assistance. that's going to increase. that's the right thing for the wealthiest nation in the world to do. today i'm announcing over $1 billion in new humanitarian support for africans displaced from homes by historic droughts and food insecurity. we know african leaders and citizens are seeking more than just aid. you seek investment. so the united states is expanding our relationship all across africa from assistance to aid. investment to trade. moving from patrons to partners to help bridge the infrastructure gap. i was told when i got elected i could never get a infrastructure bill passed because the last guy spent eight years saying next month. four years saying next month. guess what, folks? we have done it. $1 trillion, for infrastructure.

to now the digital divide, driving inclusive, sustainable economic growth. we are looking for partners who understand the right question in the year 2024 is not what can the united states do for the people of after kafplt it's what can we do together for the people of africa. that's what we can do. nowhere in africa is more exciting than here in angola. it starts with our government, whose partnership is stronger, deep, active than any point in history. a testament to your president who had the vision to carry this relationship forward. and a testament to angolan citizens across the private sector and civil society who have forged strong bonds with your american counterparts and together we are engaged in a major joint project to close the infrastructure gap. for the been fit of an dole -- benefit of angolans, africans

across the continent and world will all benefit as you benefit. can you produce much more agriculture for example than states can. you are going to increase their longevity and increase your impact and profit. it's called, building railroad lines from angola to port of lobido. and all the way to the atlantic to the indian ocean. the first transcontinental railroad in africa. and the biggest american rail investment outside of america. i must tell you up front with american press here, i'm probably the most pro-rail guy in america. i have ridden over one million 300,000 miles on a daily basis to work, 220 miles a day for the last 50 years. i didn't do it as president. i stayed in the white house a lot. but all kidding aside, folks, we can do this. we can do this. it's in our power. not only again he rate are

significant employment, we'll also allow individual countries to maximize their own domestic resources for the benefits of their people and so critical minerals, power of the world's energy transformation. and our fight against climate change. to transport that in the fraction of a time and lower cost. a shipment that used to take over 45 days will now take 45 hours. that's a game changer. that increases profit, it increases opportunity. it represents the right way to invest. in full partnership of the country and its people. as part of this project we'll install enough clean energy power to power hundreds of thousands of homes. expand high speed internet across for millions of angolans. which is as consequential today as electricity was two generations ago. we are investing in agriculture and food security. fulfilling the needs of countries without agriculture capacity.

and expanding opportunities for countries growing the crops, connecting farmers across the labido to new markets. you doing that. having the mines to do t the united states understands how we invest in africa is as important as how much we invest. in too many places 10 years after the so-called investment was made workers are coming home on a dirt road and without electricity. a village without a school. city without a hospital. country under crushing debt. we seek a better way. transparent. high standard. open access investments. protect workers and the rule of law and the environment. it can be done. and will be done. [applause] folks, the partnership between angola and the united states also exteupbdz to support -- extends to supporting peace and security in this region and

beyond. i want to thank the president for his leadership. i also want to thank him for angola speaking out against russia's unprovoked war against ukraine. it matters. it matters when leaders speak out. ladies and gentlemen, as you know i am in the final weeks of my presidency. you don't have to clap for that. you can if you want. but i wanted to come to angola. although i have been chairman of the african-american subcommittee for a long time i never made it to angola. although don't know exactly what the future will hold, i know the future runs through angola, through africa. mine it sincerely. [applause] i'm not kidding. i don't know of any nation that wants to thrive in the next century must work with partners, workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses here in after kafplt i know the connection between our communities, our universities, our sports, civil societies, our families, our

people will only grow deeper. we have to stay focused. the story of angola anti-united states holds a lesson for the world. two nation was a shared history. an evil of human bondage. two nations on opposite sides of the cold war to struggle in the late part of the 20th century. and now two nations standing shoulder to shoulder working together every day for the mutual benefit of our people. it's a reminder that no nation need be permanently -- the adversary of another. a testament to the human capacity for reconciliation and proof that from the horrors of slavery and war there is a way forward. i stand here today, i mean it sincerely, deeply optimistic when i, by the way, 20 years ago when i was a senator i had a cranial aneurysm.

got me to the hospital in time. i remember something the doctor. your chances are good. they are about 30%. he was deciding whether or not it was congenital or environmental. i said i don't give a damn. you know what your problem is, senator, are you a congenital optimist. i am. about the possibilities and progress that lie just beyond the horizon. together we can and will chart a future worthy of great nations. worthy of the highest aspirations of our people. you just have to remember who we are. we are angolans, americans. as i oven say to the american people there is nothing, nothing beyond our capacity if we work together. today i say to the people, angola and all the people of africa, there is nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together. thank you and god bless you. and keep you all safe. thank you. thank you, thank you. thank you for waiting. [captions copyright national

cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy visit ncicap.org] >> the house back from their thanksgiving holiday district wo period is in a short recess now. at 2 p.m. eastern today they are expected to debate a number of suspension bills. including a measure preventing russians from suing u.s. companies under certain circumstances. and legislation re-authoring habitat and wildlife conservation efforts throughout the country. we could also see votes on whether to relee the house ethics committee report on former florida republican congressman matt gaetz. votes are expected at 6:30 eastern. late they are week members could vote on legislation awarding

shirley chisholm, the first african-american woman elected to the house, the congressional gold medal. live house coverage when members return here on c-spa >> senate democrats ll be in the minority next yea unanimously elected their new leaders today for the congress. new york senator chucker leader and chair of thecratic democratic conference for the fifth straight t and illinois senator dick durbin re-aoebgted -- re-elected as democratic whip. tor klobuchar will serve on the steering and policy committee. and new jersey senator corey booker will chair the strategy communications committee. >> are you a nonfiction book lover looking for a new podcast. this holiday season try listening to one of the many podcasts c-span has offer. on "q&a" you'll listening to interesting interviews with people and authors writing books on history and subjects that matter.

learn something new on book notes plus through conversations with nonfiction authors and historians. afterwards brings together best-selling nonfiction authors with influential interviewers, for wide ranging hour long conversations. and on about books, we talk about the business of books with with news and interviews about the publishing industry and nonfiction authors. find all of our podcasts by downloading the free c-span now app. or wherever you get your podcast. >> the house will be in order. >> this year c-span elpwraeuts 45 years of covering congress like no other. since 1979, we have been your primary source for capitol hill. providing balanced, unfiltered coverage of government. taking you to where the policy's debated and desided all with the support of america's cable companies. c-span, 45 years and counting. powered by cable.