Delegation of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation said they feel excited being in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while the country is celebrating its new millennium.

The delegation, consisting of senior officials and prominent figures, is to leave for Arusha, Tanzania for the 8th summit of the foundation after two days in Addis Ababa.

Giving exclusive interview to ENA at Bole International Airport, Foundation Board Chairman Andrew Young said it is wonderful to be in Ethiopia, cradle of human kind, during the celebration of the new Ethiopian millennium.

The foundation was established as per the life and principles of Rev. Leon H. Sullivan who was a committed humanitarian helping the economically and socially disadvantaged people in the world.

Sullivan himself, who was cited by Life Magazine in 1963 as one of the 100 outstanding young adults in the US, visited Ethiopia in 1953, the board chairman said.

The foundation has been working with Ethiopia and will continue to do so the future, he said “I hope the foundation will organize its summit here within the next couple of years”.

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“This is one of the places Leon H. Sullivan started. When he came to Africa for the first time, this is where he came in 1953. So we have been working with Ethiopia and we will continue to have a summit on the next couple of years”

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“Ethiopia is the source of great pride to us. We are delighted to come here,” one of the delegates of the foundation, Former Prime Minster of Jamaica P.J. Patterson said.

Patterson, who visited Ethiopia in 1970 for the first time, disclosed that Jamaicans have special affection to Ethiopia.

Another member, the renowned actor Chris Tucker says, “Ethiopia is always my favorite in Africa. I feel at home whenever I come here”.

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"It feels great to be here at this time when the country is celebrating its millennium..."

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Asked about activities of the foundation, Tucker said the foundation is working as a bridge between African-Americans and the African continent.

Coordinator of the delegates, Carl Masters on his part said “African Americans are proud to be decedents of Africa".

The foundation has been promoting the tourism potentials of Africa and encouraging African Diaspora to actively participate in development of the continent.

A 250-member delegation of the foundation arrived here on Thursday in Addis Ababa.

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