[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         AMERICAN CENTER PLZEN

  Mr. PELL. On May 6, 1995, I was honored to be part of the delegation 
headed by Ambassador Madeleine Albright and accompanied by Gen. Charles 
G. Boyd, commander in chief, U.S. European Command, to represent 
President Clinton at ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of the 
liberation of Plzen in the Czech Republic.
  Having served as a foreign service officer in Prague in 1946 after 
World War II, it was a particular personal honor to be present at such 
a warm outpouring of appreciation and gratitude shown by the people of 
the Czech Republic toward the gallant contributions made by the service 
men and women of Gen. George Patton's Third Army.
  While in Plzen I was also honored to participate in the opening of 
American Center Plzen, with Prime Minister Klaus, the United States 
Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Adrian Basora, Ambassador Albright, 
and General Boyd. The creation of the American Center in Plzen was the 
personal accomplishment of a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer from 
Barrington, RI, John R. Hess.
  The Center is a tribute to the enthusiasm and commitment of John Hess 
and the citizens of Plzen. Significantly, it was completed without 
having to commit any U.S. tax dollars. I asked Mr. Hess if he would 
send me a report on the creation of American Center Plzen, so that his 
work could serve as an example to others reaching out to our neighbors 
around the world. I ask unanimous consent that his report on American 
Center Plzen be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the report was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                    Report on American Center Plzen

       This is a report requested by U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell 
     about my activities as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in 
     establishing American Center Plzen without use of American 
     taxpayers money. Senator Pell was in Plzen at the time of the 
     Center's opening.
       The idea of having an American Center for American-Czech 
     business and cultural exchange in Plzen began with then 
     Deputy Mayor of Plzen, Zdenek Prosek when in 1993 he 
     discussed the thought with the U.S. Ambassador, Foreign 
     Commercial Service, USIS, and representatives of the Czech 
     American Enterprise Fund (CAEF). All thought well of the 
     concept. CAEF liked the plan because there would be business 
     investment opportunities for them and the others because it 
     could help to create U.S. and Czech business growth as well 
     as expand U.S. and Czech cultural understanding. The purpose 
     of the Center would offer something to both the United States 
     and to Plzen. A Center would make it easier for U.S. 
     businesses to establish themselves in Western Bohemia as 
     investors and for export possibilities. It would also enhance 
     and build upon the warm feelings held by the West Bohemian 
     people toward the U.S. resulting from General Patton's 
     liberation of this area in 1945. Plzen would benefit as the 
     Center will open access to U.S. business for joint ventures 
     and could obtain the balanced economy sought by city leaders. 
     CAEF offered to donate the equivalent of $35,000.00 as ``seed 
     money'' for the project to cover any first year operating 
     deficits. The United States Embassy clearly stated that no 
     U.S. funds were available for the purpose of establishing the 
     Center. Advisory assistance would be offered.
       The city of Plzen made it known that it would bear all 
     costs. Deputy Mayor Prosek (now Lord Mayor) told the Embassy 
     and CAEF that the City would donate a historic building in 
     the city center and would restore it at Plzen's expense. 
     Plzen certainly did that spending the equivalent of 
     $1,250,000 on the renovation as well as donating the 
     building. Mayor Prosek also stated that a Foundation would be 
     created with a Czech Director to operate the Center under 
     Czech law and would be self supporting. It was agreed among 
     the parties that a Peace Corps Business Volunteer as a 
     catalyst to ensure that the project would be designed and 
     implemented in a manner to assure success would be assigned 
     to Plzen.
       As that volunteer I discussed with project planners and 
     architects hired by the city the layout of the building to 
     meet the purpose of the project. It was agreed among the 
     project designers, the architects, and myself that the 
     building must be competitive for well into the 21st Century 
     and must meet western standards. The building would have a 
     social center, a meeting room for seminars, permanent 
     offices, temporary offices for companies seeking partners, an 
     information area, and a place for cultural displays. The 
     building has over 100 communication outlets for phones, 
     faxes, and computers. It is centrally air conditioned and 
     handicap accessible. In addition, all offices have raised 
     floors for ease of cabling. Ability to communicate was a 
     major thrust and attention to computer, fax, and telephone 
     access was a priority of the building infrastructure. The 
     City also wanted the building completed in time for the 50 
     year Liberation Ceremony to take place in May 1995.
       A working committee consisting of ten people was formed and 
     met regularly to review plans. The committee assisted in 
     hiring the Director for the Center as well as talking with 
     the U.S. and Czech business communities about the Center. The 
     makeup of the committee included five Czechs and five 
     Americans. Four Czechs were from Plzen and one Czech and 
     three Americans were from Prague.
       Plans for the building were completed in June 1994 and were 
     approved by the City. Building restoration began in September 
     1994 and was completed in late April 1995. The City paid all 
     the expenses for the building. No U.S. taxpayer money was a 
     part of the building renovations. The building is expected to 
     be self sufficient financially by January 1997 through rental 
     charges for offices, meetings, special services, etc.
       The Foundation has been established and has two Boards, one 
     advisory which includes American Chamber of Commerce in the 
     Czech Republic, Peace Corps, an American Embassy person, and 
     Chamber of Commerce Plzen. The voting Board is chaired by a 
     Czech who is also Chair of the Business Innovation Center in 
     Plzen. There are four Czechs and one American on the voting 
     Board.
       A few American and Czech companies have made donations of 
     operating equipment such as fax machines and computers to the 
     Center which are greatly appreciated.
       A Peace Corps Business Volunteer will continue as an 
     advisor to the Center until late January 1996. Peace Corps 
     does not plan to assign another volunteer to this project 
     after that date.
     

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