[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 200 (Friday, December 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S18744-S18745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______


  SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT AND LEBANESE AMERICAN 
                               UNIVERSITY

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to comment on an 
issue which has important policy implications for the United States as 
a world leader in promoting education. With the end of the cold war, 
we, as a nation, must reexamine how the United States can most 
appropriately provide world leadership in the future. The need for the 
United States to continue to provide such leadership is not a serious 
contention. However, as we debate a foreign policy direction that will 
advance American interests in a more interdependent world, we should 
bear two important considerations in mind: We must act with budgetary 
responsibility and we must not assume that government itself is always 
the best agent to implement our international goals.
  I believe that private entities, such as educational institutions, 
have an important role to play in advancing our foreign policy goals. 
American education is recognized throughout the world as one of our 
greatest national assets, and it can be invaluable in shaping America's 
image abroad, promoting political and social pluralism, instilling the 
American ideals of tolerance and freedom of expression, expanding 
markets for U.S. commodities and products, and encouraging private 
initiative and economic growth.
  An American education is prestigious and in high demand in virtually 
every country. Those receiving such an education frequently rise to 
their country's most senior leadership positions in government and in 
the private sector. As effective instruments to spread American 
influence, privately sponsored American educational institutions 
undoubtedly surpass direct U.S. Government programs. Quite modest 
levels of government assistance can be leveraged by these private 
institutions to achieve fundamentally important American goals, and do 
so without costly government bureaucracy.
  In no part of the world can the contribution of American education to 
United States foreign policy be of greater significance than in the 
Middle East. Fortunately, we are in a strong position to use education 
as a cornerstone of our policy there because of the presence of two 
American educational institutions with which I happen to be personally 
acquainted: The American University of Beirut [AUB] and the Lebanese 
American University [LAU]. The excellent work of these two institutions 
deserve special attention. Both schools have long proved themselves as 
beacons of tolerance and rationality in that part of the world. 
Furthermore, in the future, these schools will have an increased 
importance as the Middle East looks for the institutional structures 
which will help the region move from the currently emerging formal 
peace to a more lasting warm peace.
  Mr. President, as we know, the future of Lebanon, in no small 
measure, rests with the talent, intellect, and ingenuity of its people, 
especially the youth. Educating young Lebanese is essential, therefore, 
to rebuilding the country. LAU and AUB are instrumental in this 
rebuilding. These universities, moreover, promote the use of American-
made goods, enhancing international reliance on American goods and 
services. Students who are educated by using American computers, for 
example, will rely on American computers when they pursue their 
careers. Furthermore, these institutions nurture democracy by educating 
successive generations of leaders who are committed to American 
democratic values and who understand the tangible economic, political, 
and social benefits that a commitment to democracy producers.
  These New York State chartered institutions continue to have strong 
American ties and a long tradition of teaching students the value of an 
American education. As a result, their students learn to appreciate 
such fundamental American values as tolerance, freedom of thought and 
expression, and private initiative. Maintaining these attributes is 
extremely important to the people of Lebanon as well as to those in the 
region of the Middle East.
  The American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American 
University have nurtured the best American tradition of voluntarism. 
Having been established by individual citizens motivated by a strong 
conviction, these institutions have had a responsibility to better 
society. Such a tradition continues today. I believe it is good policy 
for us to encourage this spirit of voluntarism and, in the process, 
achieve important United States goals such as helping to rebuild 
Lebanon's democracy and promoting regional sustainable development.
  These educational institutions also help promote American culture and 
values amongst the influential decision makers in the Middle East. 
These universities train students who are then able to communicate, 
share values, and work with Americans in business, government the 
sciences, and other mutually beneficial endeavors. This has a direct 
impact on promoting free-market reforms in the countries of the Middle 
East. Graduates of AUB and LAU appreciate American entrepreneurship and 
market-based economies, and from their positions as leaders in both 
private firms and public agencies, they guide their countries in this 
direction. Their familiarity with American culture and products also 
opens opportunities for the United States to develop export markets and 
investments in the region.
  AUB and LAU also are addressing other problems of concern to 
Americans such as health and environmental issues. They engage in 
innovative programs of study and research on issues of water quality, 
migration patterns, desertification and pollution abatement. Both 
institutions are leaders in high quality health care in the Middle 
East, which advances America's concern with global public health.
  But perhaps the single most important contribution these institutions 
are making to American interests in the region comes in connection with 
the Middle East Peace process. They have given vital assistance to that 
process by creating an intellectual climate that encourages rational 
dialogue, and by educating men and women with the vision and skills to 
achieve conciliation and cooperation. And once a formal peace is 
finally achieved, AUB and LAU will be in the forefront to encourage a 
warm peace of meaningful interaction among all parties in the region.
  The Administration, Mr. President, will soon deal with the difficult 
funding choices as the budget necessarily begins to decrease. And I 
understand that budget realities may dictate assistance to a smaller 
number of universities abroad than in the past. However, as decisions 
are being made to allocate funding levels, I strongly urge the 
Administration to maintain as a high priority continued funding for the 
American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University. I 
am not alone in this conclusion, as clearly reflected by the language 
contained in both the House and Senate Appropriations Committee 
reports. The Senate report states:

       The Committee continues to strongly support the important 
     work carried out by institutions funded under the American 
     Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Program. The Committee 
     support is based in part on the effective use of public 
     resources to leverage private sector funds. The Committee 
     believes that several institutions which have received 
     funding under ASHA have distinguished records and deserve 
     further support including: The American University of Beirut 
     which has trained Middle Eastern leaders for 130 years in a 
     strong liberal arts tradition encouraging freedom of 
     expression, private initiative, and tolerance. Its academic 
     quality, longstanding relationship with regional governments, 
     network of prominent alumni and distinction as a hub of high 
     level global expertise make the university a primary resource 
     for regional development. The Lebanese American University 

[[Page S18745]]
     (formerly Beirut College) is the most rapidly growing institution of 
     higher learning in Lebanon and is an increasingly important 
     resource for talent in this expanding region.

  The House report contains similar language.

       The Committee notes that over the years a number of quality 
     educational institutions have received both development and 
     Economic Support Fund assistance, including the American 
     University of Beirut, . . . and the Lebanese American 
     University. The Committee recommends that best efforts be 
     made to continue assistance for institutions of this nature, 
     with the highest priority assigned to those lacking 
     alternative sources of funding.

  Mr. President, I believe that continued support of these two 
institutions is in the national interest of the United States. As I 
have stated, continued funding of these institution is a congressional 
priority and I hope that the administration will agree. 

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