[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 35 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL VISITORS 
                                PROGRAM

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 442, S. Res. 87.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 87) commemorating the 60th 
     Anniversary of the International Visitors Program.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the 
resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 87) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 87

       Whereas the year 2000 marks the 60th Anniversary of the 
     International Visitors Program;
       Whereas the International Visitors Program is the public 
     diplomacy initiative of the United States Department of State 
     that brings distinguished foreign leaders to the United 
     States for short-term professional programs under the 
     authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act 
     of 1961;
       Whereas the purposes of the International Visitors Program 
     include--
       (1) increasing mutual understanding and strengthening 
     bilateral relations between the United States and other 
     nations;
       (2) developing the web of human connections essential for 
     successful economic and commercial relations, security 
     arrangements, and diplomatic agreements with other nations; 
     and
       (3) building cooperation among nations to solve global 
     problems and to achieve a more peaceful world;
       Whereas during 6 decades more than 122,000 emerging leaders 
     and specialists from around the world have experienced 
     American democratic institutions, cultural diversity, and 
     core values firsthand as participants in the International 
     Visitors Program;
       Whereas thousands of participants in the International 
     Visitors Program rise to influential leadership positions in 
     their countries each year;
       Whereas among the International Visitors Program alumni are 
     185 current and former Chiefs-of-State or Heads of 
     Government, and more than 600 alumni have served as cabinet 
     level ministers;
       Whereas prominent alumni of the International Visitors 
     Program include Margaret Thatcher, Anwar Sadat, F.W. de 
     Klerk, Indira Gandhi, and Tony Blair;
       Whereas a new configuration of domestic forces has emerged 
     which is shaping global policy and empowering private 
     citizens to an unprecedented degree;
       Whereas each year more than 80,000 volunteers affiliated 
     with 97 community-based member organizations and 7 program 
     agency members of the National Council for International 
     Visitors across the United States are actively serving as 
     ``citizen diplomats'' organizing programs and welcoming 
     International Visitors Program participants into their homes, 
     schools, and workplaces;
       Whereas all of the funds appropriated for the International 
     Visitors Program are spent in the United States, and such 
     spending leverages private contributions at a ratio of 1 to 
     12;
       Whereas the International Visitors Program corrects 
     distorted images of the United States, effectively countering 
     misperceptions, underscoring common human aspirations, 
     advancing United States democratic values, and building a 
     foundation for national and economic security;
       Whereas the International Visitors Program provides 
     valuable educational opportunities for United States citizens 
     through special ``Back to School With International Visitor'' 
     programs and events that increase the knowledge of Americans 
     about foreign societies and cultures, and bring attention to 
     international issues crucial to interests of the United 
     States;
       Whereas the International Visitors Program offers emerging 
     foreign leaders a unique view of America, highlighting its 
     vibrant private sector, including both businesses and 
     nonprofit organizations, through farm stays, home 
     hospitality, and meetings with their professional 
     counterparts; and
       Whereas the International Visitors Program introduces 
     foreign leaders, specialists, and scholars to the American 
     tradition of volunteerism through exposure to the daily work 
     of thousands of ``citizen diplomats'' who share the best of 
     America with those foreign leaders, specialists, and 
     scholars: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolves, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the International 
     Visitors Program and the remarkable public-private sector 
     partnership that sustains it; and
       (2) commends the achievements of the thousands of 
     volunteers who are part of the National Council for 
     International Visitors ``citizen diplomats'' who for 6 
     decades have daily worked to share the best of America with 
     foreign leaders, specialists, and scholars.

                          ____________________