Tuesday, October 02, 2007 Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 Schiff Meets with U2’s Bono to Discuss Foreign Aid for Africa Washington, D.C. – This week, Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) and other Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the State Department and Foreign Operations met with Bono of the famed rock band U2 to discuss U.S. foreign aid to Africa.  In the meeting, Bono highlighted successful efforts of U.S. foreign aid as well as ways in which funding to Africa could be used more effectively.  He touched on a variety of key topics, including the importance of partnering with businesses to foster development in Africa and investing in cost-effective treatment and prevention programs for HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases. “It was a treat to meet someone who is not only enormously talented musically, but who is genuinely committed to philanthropy and is very successful at it as well. He is the real deal,” said Schiff.  “Some entertainers may get involved in charitable causes to burnish their public image, but this is definitely not the case with Bono. His grasp of the issues, his knowledge of how foreign aid is used, and his suggestions about how to improve the effectiveness of the aid are all right on the mark.” Bono has lobbied U.S. Presidents, Congressional leaders, and heads of state around the world on behalf of his causes. In 2002, Bono co-founded DATA (debt, AIDS, trade, Africa) to raise public awareness of those issues and in support of funding for Africa. DATA is a founding member of ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History.  In 2006, Bono helped launched Product (RED) to raise money from businesses to buy AIDS drugs for people in Africa unable to afford them. He was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2005 (along with Bill and Melinda Gates), and was given an honorary British knighthood in 2007. The House Appropriations State, Foreign Operations Subcommittee plays a central role in the formation and execution of U.S. foreign policy. The subcommittee is responsible for reviewing and funding the U.S. international affairs budgets, which include the U.S. Department of State, foreign military support programs through the Department of Defense, and most foreign aid. Rep. Schiff was appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee in the 110th Congress and is a member of its Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, the State Department and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and the Financial Services Subcommittee.  He also serves on the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel and the House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City. -30-