The u. S. Institute of peace. Thank you very much. Hello, everybody. Thank you very much for the commission and its cochairs, for hosting this very timely briefing on the political and security crisis in the democratic republic of congo, or drc. Congress is launching u. S. Policy toward drc and the wider Great Lakes Region of Central Africa using tools such as the foreign aid appropriations process, legislation on minerals, sexual violence, child soldiers, he met generally at international adoptions, oversight activities and direct engagement with regional leaders in Civil Society. Over the years many members of congress have paid particular attention to Human Rights Violations in eastern congo which is long been an epicenter of regional conflict. Perhaps in recognition of such engagement success against president s since the 1990s have appointed former members of congress to serve as highlevel special envoys and advisers on the Great Lakes Region, most recently as you all know senator