[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 128 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1618-E1619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  CITIZEN EXCHANGE PROGRAMS CRITICAL TO FOSTERING BETTER UNDERSTANDING 
                            BETWEEN NATIONS

                                 ______


                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 3, 1995
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about the 
proposed cuts in the commerce, state, justice, and related agencies 
appropriations bill for fiscal year 1996 as it relates to educational 
and cultural exchange programs within the United States Information 
Agency. 

[[Page E 1619]]

  As a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, 
I have witnessed first-hand the importance of people-to-people 
exchanges. They are instrumental in promoting our country and the 
democratic ideals that make our country great.
  In addition, like many Members of this House, both Republican and 
Democrat alike, I, too, have been a part of a citizens exchange 
program. The American council of young political leaders, one of the 
recipients of USIA funding, was formed nearly 30 years ago as a non-
profit bi-partisan educational exchange organization to enhance foreign 
policy understanding and exposure among rising young American political 
leaders and their counterparts around the world.
  Since its establishment, Mr. Speaker, more than 3,000 political 
leaders from the United States and 2,000 foreign delegates have 
participated in some 500 governmental and business exchanges with their 
counterparts in more than 70 countries. The ACYPL's efforts are a key 
component of not only our exchange programs but in fostering better 
relations and understandings between nations. I am only sorry that 
programs such as ACYPL's may be at risk as a result of these proposed 
cuts in educational and exchange programs.


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