Programs & Events
U.S. Senator Visits Cambodia
Phnom Penh
November 29, 2007
United States Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) concluded a 5-day visit to Cambodia as a member of the Senate Finance Committee to discuss what can be done to reduce poverty in one of the world’s least developed countries. She also addressed global health, the impact of poverty on women, and Cambodia’s continuing challenges with human trafficking.
"Cambodia is rich in opportunity for further U.S. investment," stated Senator Cantwell. "There are many U.S. non-governmental organizations working in Cambodia, but it is time for greater private sector ties."
Senator Cantwell met with various Cambodian government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng, to discuss US-Cambodian relations from a Congressional perspective. She also visited US government-funded projects such as the conservation of Phnom Bakheng and de-mining operations by the Cambodian Mine Action Center. Additionally, the Senator's schedule included visits to charitable programs sponsored by Washington state organizations, including The Village Pig Project and the Rural Area Kids Organization.
Maria Cantwell was elected to the U.S. Senate from Washington state in 2000 and again in 2006. Senator Cantwell's other committee assignments include the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee. Senator Cantwell is co-sponsor of the TRADE Act of 2007 which seeks to provide preferential duty treatment to U.S. imports from the world's least-developed countries, including Cambodia. Senator Cantwell believes that America needs to do more to work with least developed countries like Cambodia to improve the daily lives of the impoverished by promoting stable and sustainable economic growth and development.
Many Cambodian-Americans call Washington state home. With about 12,000 Cambodian American households, it has the 3rd largest Cambodian population in the United States. Washington state also has many non-governmental organizations that are active in poverty reduction, global health, and other social and humanitarian issues in Cambodia and throughout Southeast Asia.
