Embassy of Jordan - Washington, DC
Information Bureau

December 11, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congressional Friends of Jordan Caucus launched in
U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC (December 10, 2007) -  The Congressional Friends of Jordan Caucus has been officially launched in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan caucus, a first of its kind, serves to strengthen the strategic bilateral relations between Jordan and the United States through positive engagement with members of Congress. The primary mission of the Caucus is to further support the strong partnership between Jordan and the United States and to facilitate the exchange of ideas between Members of the House of Representatives and Jordanian officials.

The Jordan caucus will be co-chaired by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), a member of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee-Appropriations Committee and Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA), a member of the Education and Labor Committee. The Vice-Chairs of the caucus include Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA), Chairman of the Science Subcommittee and member of the Budget Committee and Congressman Jeff Fortenberyy (R-NE), a member of the Middle East Subcommittee.

The Friends of Jordan Caucus is testimony to Jordan's strong ties with U.S. Congressional leaders from both the Republican and Democratic parties. His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra'ad, Jordan's Ambassador to the United States underscored the importance of working together with members of Congress in the House of Representatives in coordination with the Jordan caucus to further Jordan-U.S. relations and enhance bilateral cooperation on Jordan and Middle East related issues. "We look forward to working closely with Congressmen Schiff, Boustany, Baird and Fortneberry as well as other key members in Congress to help achieve our common vision for peace, security and prosperity in Jordan and the Middle East," the Ambassador said.