[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PACIFIC LINK INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, I rise today to commend a student 
program, the Sino-American Youth Conference, sponsored this summer by 
Pacific Link International Exchange Students (PLIES). PLIES is a 
Christian ministry with the worthy goal of providing a cultural 
experience in the United States to students from the People's Republic 
of China.
  Student from China have long studied in the United States, and the 
exchange of young people between our two countries has done much to 
increase our mutual understanding and to advance liberty in China. 
PLIES hopes that its hosting of the Sino-American Youth Conference in 
Washington, D.C. this summer will continue that positive tradition of 
exchange by allowing Chinese students to witness first hand the 
workings of democracy in our nation's capital.
  Young people from China and the United States will be shaping the 
future of both of their respective countries. The exchange of ideas and 
the building of friendships facilitated through the PLIES program will 
benefit China and the United States in the years ahead.
  The staff of PLIES are to be congratulated for their work in China 
and their commitment to furthering dialogue between our two countries. 
I extend my welcome to the students from China participating in the 
PLIES program. May your time in the United States be fulfilling and 
beneficial.




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