WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush appealed congressmen and his successor to keep an eye on Africa, stressing the "extraordinary potential" of the continent.

Addressing a symposium sponsored by the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, Bush recapped his five African country tour in mid-February that included Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia.

"Congress needs to make America's commitment clear by fully and promptly funding our development programs. And presidential candidates of both parties should make clear that engagement with Africa will be an enduring priority of the United States," Bush told a symposium sponsored by the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, a pro-African U.S. organization.

"Americans should feel proud, mighty proud, of the work we're doing in Africa," Bush said of his latest African tour, the second of its kind since he became U.S. president in January 2001.

The late Rev. Leon Sullivan long promoted American investment in African nations through the biannual African-African-American summits. The Sullivan Foundation, established in 2002, is continuing the effort to expand on American investment in Africa.

Bush is to leave the White House in January 2009 after a quadrennial presidential election due to be held in November this year.

Source: Xinhua