[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PARTICIPANTS IN CONGRESS-BUNDESTAG YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM EXCEED 10,000

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                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 1997

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of 
our colleagues an excerpt from the May 15, 1997 record of the German 
Bundestag. Vice-President Hans-Ulrich Klose of the Bundestag 
interrupted proceedings on that day to acknowledge the presence in the 
visitors' gallery of American participants in the Congress-Bundestag 
Youth Exchange Program, and noted that the number of participants in 
this youth exchange program has now exceeded 10,000.
  The Congress and the German Bundestag initiated this program in 1983 
to strengthen ties between young people in our two countries, and I 
believe it is playing an important role in building strong United 
States-Germany relations for the future. The text of the Bundestag 
transcript follows:

 German Bundestag--13th Electoral Term--175th Sitting Bonn, Thursday, 
   May 15, 1997, Excerpt from the Stenographic Record, Full Plenary 
                 Session (Approx. 670 Members present)

       Vice-President Hans-Ulrich Klose: I now close the debate.
       Before we proceed to the vote may I ask for your attention 
     for a moment. Three young Americans are sitting in the 
     distinguished visitors' gallery. They belong to the group of 
     400 American students and young professionals who have spent 
     a year in Germany as participants in the Congress-Bundestag 
     Youth Exchange Program. (Applause in the entire House)
       Why am I mentioning this today by way of exception? I am 
     mentioning it, my dear Colleagues, because with this group 
     the number of participants has reached and exceeded 10,000. 
     (Sustained applause in the entire House)
       I should like to welcome, on behalf of all this year's 
     participants in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange 
     Program, the 9,999th participant, Kristina Bass from 
     California, (Applause in the entire House) the 10,000th 
     participant, Nicole Myers from Pennsylvania, (Applause in the 
     entire House) and the 10,001st participant, Brian Blake from 
     Connecticut. (Applause in the entire House)
       The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program, which was 
     inaugurated in 1983 by the U.S. Congress and the German 
     Bundestag, contributes with its special emphasis on young 
     people to strengthening the close relationship between our 
     two countries in the future--our common future.
       We all know that both countries, the United States of 
     America and the Federal Republic of Germany, face major 
     challenges. There are substantial budgetary problems in both 
     countries. However, I would like to take this special 
     opportunity to appeal to our colleagues in the U.S. Congress 
     and to the Members of this House to definitely continue this 
     program on the present scale. (Lively applause in the entire 
     House)
       I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my 
     colleagues in the Bundestag very warmly for their willingness 
     to sponsor German and American participants year after year.
       I hope that the participants will have a good time 
     tomorrow. May you retain many pleasant memories of this 
     exchange year in Germany, which is soon coming to an end: may 
     it inspire you to make the good relationship between our two 
     countries your personal concern. Welcome! (Applause in the 
     entire House)

     

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