Whereas President George W. Bush formally recognized the African Union as an international organization in 2005, and initiated the United States Mission to the African Union in 2006, making the United States the first non-African country to establish a diplomatic mission to the African Union; Whereas President Barack Obama was the first sitting President of the United States to visit the African Union headquarters and deliver an address to the assembly in July 2015; Whereas the pillars for the partnership between the United States and the African Union Commission are peace and security; economic growth, trade, and investment; democracy and governance; and promoting investment opportunities and development, which are aligned with the African Union’s strategic development framework, referred to as Agenda 2063; Whereas the United States supports the African Union through assessed contributions to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the United Nations Office to the African Union, and other United Nations organs and agencies that provide technical support and capacity enhancement to the African Union; Whereas the African Union participates in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which boosts economic cooperation and trade with 40 sub-Saharan African countries and whose benefits have been extended to 2025; Whereas during the sixth annual High-Level Dialogue between the United States and the African Union Commission in November 2018, the United States affirmed its support to the African Continental Free Trade Area, acknowledged the progress attained on its establishment, and pledged to enhance discussion on how to complement and support the agreement; Whereas the United States has provided technical assistance to support the launch of the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit, which coordinates the African Union’s participation in election observation and implements the African Union Commission’s program for the promotion of democracy on the continent