Senator Bill Nelson in Sierra Leone

Freetown
December 15, 2008
Contact: PAO Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 022-515-000 or 076-515-000

On December 15, 2008, United States Senator Bill Nelson, representing the state of Florida, and Ambassador June Carter Perry met with President Ernest Bai Koroma at State House to discuss issues of mutual concern and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Sierra Leone.

Senator Nelson became interested in Sierra Leone as a model for post-conflict reconstruction, one of two countries chosen for the United Nations Peace Building program.  Sierra Leone has been a strong ally with the United States on critical international issues including the situation in Zimbabwe and the independence of Kosovo.  Senator Nelson appreciates Sierra Leone's progress toward becoming a leader in international forums, such as the African Union and the United Nations, by actively promoting human rights issues through multilateral engagement.

Senator Nelson was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2000 after serving six years as a member of the Florida Cabinet.  He serves on the Senate Commerce, Armed Services, Budget, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, and Aging committees and is recognized as the leading congressional expert on NASA.

Senator Nelson has been a champion of individual and civil rights in the United States as well as an advocate for the families of our military personnel.  He has demonstrated committed to environmental conservation, health care, and ensuring adequate preparation for natural disasters.

Elected to the U.S. Congress in 1978, Nelson served six terms representing the Orlando area of Florida, and became an early advocate for a balanced federal budget.  In January 1986, Nelson spent six days orbiting Earth as a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Columbia.  That experience gave him a new perspective on the Earth’s fragile environment and a greater appreciation of the importance of our nation’s space exploration program.

For more information on the Senator's work around the world and at home, visit http://billnelson.senate.gov/