Senators applaud Haley as next envoy to Gambia

Jet, July 13, 1998

Nominated by President Clinton as the U.S. ambassador to Gambia, Postal Rate Commission Vice Chairman George Haley was applauded for his effort to close a historical chapter in his family's record during his recent Senate confirmation hearing.

Haley, whose family was routed from Africa by slave traders more than two centuries ago, wants to return to Africa to represent the country that sheltered and educated his family after such a brutal kidnapping.

His late brother, author Alex Haley, wrote Roots, in which he dramatized his family lineage of seven generations in the U.S. The story began when Kunta Kinte, a direct descendant, was enslaved in Gambia and brought to America.

Quoting from a newspaper, Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, a Republican friend, identified Haley as "the great-great-great-great-grandson of Kunta Kinte." He paused after repeating the word "great" four times, according to the Arkansas Democrat newspaper.

Accepting the assignment, Haley told the crowd, "It would be an unexpected honor and privilege to be sent as the American ambassador to the country from which my great-great-great-great grandfather was enslaved and brought to the United States."

"It is the story of my family's history," said Haley, who serves as executor of his brother's estate.

Introducing his wife, Doris Haley, the ambassador candidate also presented his daughter, Anne Haley Brown of Los Angeles, and his son, David, a Kansas state representative.