The Constituency for Africa hosted a reception to welcome the African Union to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at the National Museum of African Art on the occasion of the second annual United States-African Union High Level Bilateral Meetings.

Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Director of the National Museum of African Art welcomed everyone and gave opening remarks.

Melvin P. Foote, President and CEO of the Constituency for Africa, said of the reception, "We were particularly pleased to be able to host our guests at the National Museum of African Art and to be surrounded by works of art showcasing the beauty, power and diversity of African culture," continued Foote.

Distinguished guests on the night included His Excellency Dr. Jean Ping, Chair of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Ronald Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative; Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the Unites States Agency for International Development; Ambassador Michael A. Battle, United States Ambassador to the African Union; and Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Dr. Ping and Ambassador Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative, both received awards from the Constituency for Africa for their commitment to advancing the positive promotion of a vibrant relationship between the people of Africa, the diaspora and the people of the United States.

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