[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 23 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    YOUNG PEACEBUILDERS ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Young 
Peacebuilders Act of 2002, a bill intended to help young people from 
regions of conflict around the world learn about conflict resolution, 
communication, and leadership. The legislation aims to get at one of 
the root causes of terrorism by enabling young people to interact with 
each other and gain a greater understanding of their cultures and their 
differences.
  The goal of the Young Peacebuilders Act is to help international 
youth learn the value of working together to solve problems, break down 
barriers and mistrust, and avoid the cultural misunderstandings that 
have plagued their parents' generation. My hope is that the program 
this bill would establish can be part of a solution that will prevent 
another September 11 from ever happening again.
  The bill would establish a program in the State Department for youth 
from regions of conflict around the world. The program would provide 
for visits in the United States of 90 days or less for training in 
conflict resolution and mutual understanding. Non-profit organizations 
and other organizations as determined by the Secretary of State would 
provide training, with the State Department working in conjunction with 
the Attorney General to establish criteria for eligibility.
  With this program, Americans would have another opportunity to 
respond to President Bush's call for national and community service. I 
believe that groups like Seeds of Peace and Outward Bound, where I was 
an educator and director in Colorado for 20 years, could be vehicles 
for developing leaders of tomorrow and stewards of peace.
  At the Colorado Outward Bound School, I saw first-hand how young 
people developed strong character and leadership skills by working in 
the outdoors. Our young people are our greatest resource and our 
future. Building peace requires an investment in new generations of 
young people around the world. In light of the violence and turmoil in 
the Middle East and the September 11 attacks, it is clear that this 
modest investment has never been so timely or needed more urgently.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to move 
forward with this important initiative, and I am attaching a fact sheet 
on this bill.

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