U.S. Congress Passes Legislation Lifting Mandela, ANC Stigma

Posted to the web 27 June 2008 Washington, DC Congress is sending legislation to President Bush that will finally erase a government-imposed stigma against association with the African National Congress of South Africa. Last night the House and Senate came to agreement on legislation by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard L. Berman (D-CA) that will remove from U.S. databases any notation characterizing the ANC and its leaders -- including Nobel Laureate and former South African President Nelson Mandela -- as terrorists. "Congress finally stands ready to rid U.S. immigration law of this anachronistic blight," Berman noted. "The Senate and House have now both affirmed that America's place is on the side of those who fought against Apartheid, and there should be no discrimination in our legal code based on their ANC... [read full story]