Alan Lowenthal to co-chair new Congressional Cambodia Caucus
Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach,
and Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, this week announced the creation of a
Congressional Cambodia Caucus, with the two congressmen serving as
co-chairs.
The representatives say the caucus will aid members of
Congress interested in Cambodian politics, as well as broaden America’s
relationship with the Southeast Asian nation.
Lowenthal is a
member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Subcommittee on Asia
and the Pacific. He represents Long Beach, which is the largest
Cambodian community outside that country.
“As the representative of so many Cambodian Americans, many of
whom still have deep connections to Cambodia, I feel it is critical that
Congress do everything it can to ensure that the United States
continues to serve as a positive influence on Cambodia as it works to
fully integrate into the international community,” Lowenthal said in a
news release.
Chabot is the former chair of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and is
considered a leading Cambodia expert in Congress.
According to a news release, Lowenthal and Chabot met March 17 with U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Bill Heidt during
the Caucus’ inaugural meeting. Heidt issued an update America-Cambodia
relations and the Cambodian government’s response to American requests
for the foreign government to respect its citizens’ democratic freedoms.
“The
Cambodian Caucus offers a real opportunity for Congress and members of
the public to vigorously discuss a full range of issues important to
Cambodia’s development, and it will strengthen our bilateral
relationship,” Lowenthal said in a written statement.
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