[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 87 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 87

   Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the International Visitors 
                                Program.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 27, 1999

  Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Bond, and Mr. Moynihan) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the International Visitors 
                                Program.

Whereas the year 2000 marks the 60th Anniversary of the International Visitors 
        Program;
Whereas the International Visitors Program is the public diplomacy initiative of 
        the United States Department of State that brings distinguished foreign 
        leaders to the United States for short-term professional programs under 
        the authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 
        1961;
Whereas the purposes of the International Visitors Program include--

    (1) increasing mutual understanding and strengthening bilateral 
relations between the United States and other nations;

    (2) developing the web of human connections essential for successful 
economic and commercial relations, security arrangements, and diplomatic 
agreements with other nations; and

    (3) building cooperation among nations to solve global problems and to 
achieve a more peaceful world;

Whereas during 6 decades more than 122,000 emerging leaders and specialists from 
        around the world have experienced American democratic institutions, 
        cultural diversity, and core values firsthand as participants in the 
        International Visitors Program;
Whereas thousands of participants in the International Visitors Program rise to 
        influential leadership positions in their countries each year;
Whereas among the International Visitors Program alumni are 185 current and 
        former Chiefs-of-State or Heads of Government, and more than 600 alumni 
        have served as cabinet level ministers;
Whereas prominent alumni of the International Visitors Program include Margaret 
        Thatcher, Anwar Sadat, F.W. de Klerk, Indira Gandhi, and Tony Blair;
Whereas a new configuration of domestic forces has emerged which is shaping 
        global policy and empowering private citizens to an unprecedented 
        degree;
Whereas each year more than 80,000 volunteers affiliated with 97 community-based 
        member organizations and 7 program agency members of the National 
        Council for International Visitors across the United States are actively 
        serving as ``citizen diplomats'' organizing programs and welcoming 
        International Visitors Program participants into their homes, schools, 
        and workplaces;
Whereas all of the funds appropriated for the International Visitors Program are 
        spent in the United States, and such spending leverages private 
        contributions at a ratio of 1 to 12;
Whereas the International Visitors Program corrects distorted images of the 
        United States, effectively countering misperceptions, underscoring 
        common human aspirations, advancing United States democratic values, and 
        building a foundation for national and economic security;
Whereas the International Visitors Program provides valuable educational 
        opportunities for United States citizens through special ``Back to 
        School With International Visitor'' programs and events that increase 
        the knowledge of Americans about foreign societies and cultures, and 
        bring attention to international issues crucial to interests of the 
        United States;
Whereas the International Visitors Program offers emerging foreign leaders a 
        unique view of America, highlighting its vibrant private sector, 
        including both businesses and non-profit organizations, through farm 
        stays, home hospitality, and meetings with their professional 
        counterparts; and
Whereas the International Visitors Program introduces foreign leaders, 
        specialists, and scholars to the American tradition of volunteerism 
        through exposure to the daily work of thousands of ``citizen diplomats'' 
        who share the best of America with those foreign leaders, specialists, 
        and scholars: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the International 
        Visitors Program and the remarkable public-private sector 
        partnership that sustains it; and
            (2) commends the achievements of the thousands of 
        volunteers who are part of the National Council for 
        International Visitors ``citizen diplomats'' who for 6 decades 
        have daily worked to share the best of America with foreign 
        leaders, specialists, and scholars.
                                 <all>