Saying Good-Bye to Ambassador Abdallah Baali of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I say good-
bye to a distinguished member of the Washington diplomatic corps--His
Excellency Abdallah Baali of the People's Democratic Republic of
Algeria. During his six years in Washington, Ambassador Baali has made
a tremendous effort to engage with Congress and strengthen the U.S.-
Algeria bilateral relationship. A man of calm demeanor and wise
insights, the ambassador not only represented his government with honor
and great ability, he worked hard to educate and inform Congress about
Algeria's important role in the Maghreb-Sahel region, as well as the
economic, human rights, and democratic progress being made by his
country.

During the 113th Congress it was my honor to serve as the Democratic
co-chair of the Congressional Algeria Caucus, along with my Wisconsin
colleague Representative Sean Duffy. The work of Ambassador Baali and
his staff was critical to re-establishing the caucus and I am deeply
grateful for all of his efforts.

During his visits to my office I listened to Ambassador Baali's words
closely as we discussed the relationship between our two nations and
the need for a partnership in the Maghreb-Sahel region to combat
extremism, promote security, and guarantee self-determination and
freedom for the people of the Western Sahara. Algeria's role in
regional security is critical and I greatly appreciated Ambassador
Baali's wise counsel and valuable insights.

I wish to thank President Bouteflika and the people of Algeria for
sending my nation such a capable, professional, and trusted diplomat.
Ambassador Baali shall always be welcome in my office and I wish him
much success and happiness as he returns home to Algeria.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source