Washington, D. C – Today U.S. Senator Russ Feingold was recognized by the Church World Service for his leadership in promoting robust U.S. policies toward Africa and fighting global HIV-AIDS.  As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, and a 17-year member of the committee, Feingold has worked to seriously address the region’s conflicts, humanitarian and health crises, and governance challenges.  The Church World Service, a cooperative ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations, is an active organization in Wisconsin and cities across the country working to eradicate hunger and poverty and promote peace and justice around the world.  This fall alone, the Church World Service has hosted many hunger walks across Wisconsin to help end hunger around the world.

“I am honored to receive this award today from the Church World Service, an organization that has been on the front line of the fight to eradicate hunger and poverty in Wisconsin, across the United States and abroad,” Feingold said. “In recent years, we have made real progress toward building partnerships in Africa that advance both our security and our shared economic interests.  Communities of faith have played a key role in this progress, and I am proud to work with Church World Service to continue building upon those efforts.”

“Sen. Russ Feingold…is a long-time champion of the African continent, its diverse peoples and communities.  The senator is committed to ensuring that the United States seriously addresses the region's conflicts, humanitarian and health crises, and governance challenges,” said Church World Service President Rev. McCullough.

Some of Feingold’s most recent work regarding Africa includes encouraging the Obama Administration to develop a more effective U.S. policy toward Sudan, establishing a Senate Malaria Working Group and chairing an African Affairs Subcommittee hearing exploring U.S. policy options toward Zimbabwe’s fragile transition.  More information on Feingold’s work regarding Africa can be viewed here.