[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1402 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1402

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      December 8, 2010.
Whereas 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Council for 
        International Visitors (NCIV), originally founded as the National 
        Council for Community Services to International Visitors (COSERV) in 
        1961;
Whereas the mission of NCIV is to promote excellence in citizen diplomacy, the 
        concept that the individual citizen has the right and responsibility to 
        help develop constructive United States foreign relations ``one 
        handshake at a time'';
Whereas citizen diplomacy has the power to shape perceptions in the United 
        States of foreign cultures and international perceptions of the United 
        States, effectively shattering stereotypes, illuminating differences, 
        underscoring common human aspirations, and developing the web of human 
        connections needed to achieve more peaceful relations between countries;
Whereas NCIV is the private sector partner of the United States Department of 
        State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a public 
        diplomacy initiative 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 (22 U.S.C. 
        2451 et seq.; also referred to as the ``Fulbright-Hays Act'');
Whereas the NCIV network comprises individuals, program agencies, and 92 
        community organizations throughout the United States, including 
        approximately 80,000 volunteers who are involved in NCIV member 
        activities each year as host families, professional resources, volunteer 
        programmers, board members, and other supporters;
Whereas the network of citizen diplomats in NCIV has organized professional 
        programs, cultural activities, and home visits for more than 190,000 
        foreign leaders participating in the IVLP, 285 of whom went on to become 
        chiefs of state or heads of government in their countries;
Whereas the NCIV network has hosted and strengthened the relationships of the 
        United States with notable foreign leaders who are alumni of the IVLP;
Whereas United States ambassadors have in repeated surveys ranked the NCIV 
        network-facilitated IVLP first among 63 United States public diplomacy 
        programs;
Whereas in 2001, the NCIV network of citizen diplomats was nominated to receive 
        the Nobel Peace Prize for its work to promote fraternity between 
        nations;
Whereas all Federal funding for the citizen diplomacy of the NCIV network is 
        spent in the United States, where it has leveraged $6 in local economic 
        impact for every Federal dollar expended;
Whereas NCIV member organizations provide invaluable opportunities for United 
        States students to develop global perspectives and vividly experience 
        the diversity of the world by bringing foreign leaders into local 
        schools, loaning teachers cultural artifacts, and developing 
        internationally focused curricula;
Whereas participation of United States communities, businesses, and universities 
        in the international exchange programs implemented by the NCIV network 
        strengthens the ability of the United States to produce a globally 
        literate and competitive workforce;
Whereas NCIV provides leadership at the national level having convened leaders 
        of sister organizations for two national Summits on Citizen Diplomacy 
        and providing funding to its member organizations for Summits on Citizen 
        Diplomacy in communities throughout the United States, giving those 
        organizations the opportunity to foster internationally focused dialogue 
        and to cultivate lasting partnerships with like-minded organizations in 
        their own communities;
Whereas NCIV member organizations serve as international gateways, sharing their 
        communities with the world and the world with their communities, 
        welcoming strangers and sending home friends; and
Whereas, February 16, 2011, would be an appropriate date to designate as 
        ``Citizen Diplomacy Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 50th anniversary of the National Council for 
        International Visitors and its extraordinary efforts to promote 
        excellence in citizen diplomacy;
            (2) commends the achievements of the thousands of citizen diplomats 
        who have worked for generations to share the best of the United States 
        with foreign leaders, specialists, and scholars;
            (3) thanks the National Council for International Visitors citizen 
        diplomats for their service to their communities, the United States, and 
        the world; and
            (4) supports the designation of ``Citizen Diplomacy Day''.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.