President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to the Republic of South Sudan to Attend the Ceremony Marking the Declaration of the Independence of the Republic of South Sudan

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Republic of South Sudan to attend the ceremony marking the Declaration of the Independence of the Republic of South Sudan on July 9, 2011.

The Honorable Susan E. Rice, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations will lead the delegation.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Donald M. Payne, United States Representative from New Jersey and Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights

The Honorable Colin L. Powell, Former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Honorable Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State

The Honorable Princeton N. Lyman, United States Special Envoy to Sudan, Department of State

The Honorable Brooke Anderson, Deputy National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff and Counselor for the National Security Staff

The Honorable Donald K. Steinberg, Deputy Administrator, USAID

General Carter F. Ham, Commander, United States Africa Command

The Honorable R. Barrie Walkley, United States Consul General in Juba

Mr. Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services