[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 67 (Thursday, May 13, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5468-S5469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASIA FOUNDATION

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
Asia Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization based in San 
Francisco, CA, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2004.
  The Asia Foundation is a national asset that has contributed in 
significant ways to the mutual interests of the people of Asia and the 
United States for a halfcentury.
  Through its programs, the foundation has been instrumental at key 
moments in these five eventful decades. Early in its life, the 
foundation contributed to democracy, freedom, peace and constructive 
relations in post-World War II Asia. Since then, the foundation has 
invested in Asia's future leaders, built the capacity of democratic 
institutions, provided support to civil society groups, promoted the 
rights of women and created opportunities for economic growth and 
development.
  Today, the foundation is contributing to new initiatives in the 
region, building new governance and opportunity in Afghanistan, for 
instance, through support to the Constitutional Loya Jirga, helping new 
democratic institutions in Indonesia and programs with moderate Muslim 
leaders, and continuing to support human rights and prospects for 
reform in Cambodia, Nepal, and throughout Asia.

[[Page S5469]]

  Through its 17 field offices in Asia, the Asia Foundation has made 
its positive mark. The foundation identifies and supports reform-minded 
people at every level of society, from presidents and parliamentarians, 
to grassroots nongovernmental leaders. The foundation has supported 
educational institutions and libraries, legislatures and judiciaries, 
civil society and the media, all with the aim of improving the lives 
and helping to meet the aspirations of the people of Asia.
  In every corner of Asia, the foundation's impact is felt through the 
fellowships it has provided to thousands of Asia's leaders since its 
founding, the new government and nongovernmental institutions it has 
supported and the new ideas it has fostered to meet the challenges 
facing Asia today. In so doing, the Asia Foundation represents America 
at its best: a private organization working in partnership with 
government, advancing mutual interests of the U.S. and Asia in 
supporting vibrant democracies, open economies, and peaceful relations.
  As the United States addresses new challenges and opportunities in 
U.S.-Asian relations, we celebrate the Asia Foundation's history of 
achievement, and look forward to its continued contributions to the 
region in the future.

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