[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 91 (Tuesday, July 6, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H5158-H5159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EISENHOWER EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TRUST FUND ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 
                                  2003

  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2121) to amend the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Act of 1990 to 
authorize additional appropriations for the Eisenhower Exchange 
Fellowship Program Trust Fund, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2121

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Eisenhower Exchange 
     Fellowship Program Trust Fund Enhancement Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) 2003 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of 
     the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship program.
       (2) The Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship program was founded 
     to honor the 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, for his 
     character, courage, patriotism, and commitment to 
     international understanding through exchange.
       (3) Over the past 50 years the Eisenhower Exchange 
     Fellowship program has exposed thousands of leaders 
     throughout the world to the values of American political 
     institutions, private sector commerce, educational 
     opportunities, and cultural and societal traditions.
       (4) Eisenhower Exchange Fellows worldwide have assumed 
     positions of leadership in their respective countries, 
     whether in the fields of government, industry, or civil 
     society, and they retain links to the United States through 
     their membership in Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships.
       (5) The Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship is developing a new 
     program to broaden its geographic base to emphasize the 
     relationship of the United States with the Arab world.
       (6) Congress has previously recognized the importance of 
     the work of the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship program when 
     it granted the program a Federal Charter under section 3(a) 
     of Public Law 101-454.
       (7) The Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship is one of the best 
     examples of public and private partnerships.
       (8) Additional resources are required to achieve the goals 
     and objectives of the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship program 
     in the 21st century.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 
                   EISENHOWER EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TRUST 
                   FUND.

       Section 5 of the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Act of 1990 
     (Public Law 101-454; 20 U.S.C. 5204) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``To provide'' and inserting ``(a) Initial 
     Endowment.--To provide''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Enhanced Endowment.--In addition to the amount 
     initially appropriated pursuant to the authorization of 
     appropriation under subsection (a), there is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program 
     Trust Fund $12,500,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Flake) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).


                             General Leave

  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2121.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) 
I am pleased to speak to a bill introduced by the distinguished 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt). The measure authorizes an increase 
in the Eisenhower Fellows Trust Fund that was established in 1992. The 
proceeds of this trust fund finance this well-respected exchange 
program. The increase will be directed towards programs in the Middle 
East.
  The Eisenhower Fellowships is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization 
created in 1953 to honor President Eisenhower. Eisenhower Fellowships 
promote international understanding and productivity through the 
exchange of information and ideas among emerging leaders throughout the 
world. The program brings rising leaders from other countries to the 
United States and sends American counterparts abroad with a custom 
designed program for each participant.
  The fellowship program seeks to create a network of leaders whose 
ties to one another and the United States may foster peace, 
productivity and progress. This is accomplished by creating programs 
that enhance the capacities of men and women leaders likely to have an 
impact on their nation's development. Programs are designed to build on 
the individual's professional skills as well as develop contacts within 
the United States. These experiences are devoted to the growth of the 
individual Fellows, to the advancement of their effectiveness as 
leaders, and to their ability to contribute to progress and 
reconciliation among diverse groups.
  The advantage to the United States in such interaction affords our 
citizens the opportunity to understand the aims, achievements and 
problems of different countries through meeting proven young leaders of 
these countries.
  In closing, the Eisenhower Fellowships promote international 
understanding and productivity through the exchange of information, 
ideas and perspectives among emerging leaders throughout the world. 
This is important and useful to our future as a member of the 
globalized society.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation and I urge 
my colleagues to do so as well. This legislation reauthorizes an 
important public diplomacy program named after our 34th President, 
Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Eisenhower Fellowship Program, funded by both 
the private and public sectors, has made an enduring contribution to 
international understanding and furthering U.S. interests around the 
globe by promoting international understanding through the exchange of 
information, ideas and perspectives among emerging leaders worldwide. 
It brings rising foreign leaders to the United States and sends their 
American counterparts abroad, with a custom designed program for each 
participant.
  Mr. Speaker, since its inception, over 1,500 fellows have become 
alumni of the program. Among them are four heads of government and 100 
cabinet-level appointees. Numerous fellows have become ambassadors, 
legislators, university presidents, supreme court judges and governors. 
They head major corporations and nonprofit organizations involving 
health, environment and culture.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the type of program that must be continued if we 
are going to try to improve our stature around the world and to change 
the misunderstandings that are being propagated by those who do not 
understand our great Nation.
  Indeed, we must increase these types of programs if we are going to 
start to make inroads on the increasingly negative view of the United 
States that has been growing over the past 2 years. Recognizing this 
need, the Eisenhower program is developing an expanded program for 
Middle East and the Arab world.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support passage of this legislation, and urge 
my colleagues to do so as well.
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2121--the 
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Trust Fund Enhancement Act. The 
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship honors former President Dwight D. 
Eisenhower for his character, courage and patriotism in both times of 
war and peace. Its programs are designed to advance international 
understanding by providing opportunities to emerging world leaders; 
exposing them to diverse experiences. Each year the program attracts 
approximately 45 leaders to the United States from countries around the 
world. Eisenhower Fellowships spend two months studying, learning and 
participating in democratic institutions at all levels of government.

[[Page H5159]]

  President Eisenhower believed that informed professionals have the 
best opportunity to create international trust and cooperation. 
Eisenhower Fellowships has followed this vision. Since its founding in 
1953 by private citizens, Eisenhower Fellowships has built up a 
distinguished alumni body of over 1,300 alumni in over 100 countries. 
There are 4 heads of state and over 100 cabinet appointments among 
them.
  During its first 50 years, Eisenhower Fellowships has proven the 
validity and impact of its founding vision to bring together young 
leaders from all over the world to pursue our mission, as Eisenhower 
saw it, of peace through understanding. On October 3rd, 2003 Dr. Henry 
Kissinger, Chairman of the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship, presented 
the Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service to former Eisenhower 
Exchange Fellowship Chairman and President George H.W. Bush.
  The tragedy of September 11th and the subsequent evidence of deep 
international hatreds and misunderstanding have demonstrated that 
Eisenhower Fellowships' core mission is even more relevant now than it 
was in 1953. Since September 11th, almost daily headlines have provided 
further evidence of deep rifts along with misunderstanding and 
violence; conditions analogous to those that led to the creation of 
Eisenhower Fellowships 50 years ago.
  For Eisenhower Fellowships to continue to have a meaningful impact 
globally, a significant expansion of its programs is imperative. World 
population has grown from 2.7 billion in 1953 to well over 6 billion; 
and there are now 192 independent nations versus a few dozen when 
Eisenhower Fellowships was founded.
  The Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship is funded by a mix of private and 
Federal funds. Congress granted a Federal charter in 1990 (P.L. 101-
454) and created a permanent trust fund to assist the fellowship 
program. The initial trust fund authorization has not increased in over 
fourteen years while demands on the program have increased 
substantially. This is a fitting time to recognize the commitment of 
the program to its original goals and to increase trust fund 
investments. Under its federal charter, funds deposited into the trust 
fund remain in the United States Treasury and are invested in 
governmental securities. Only proceeds from the trust fund are 
appropriated to the Fellowship for operations. H.R. 2121 would increase 
trust fund assets by $12.5 million. This is essential as the Eisenhower 
Exchange Fellowship is advancing plans for a major new initiative with 
key countries in the Middle East; including Egypt, Jordan and Saudi 
Arabia.

  Near the end of his first inaugural address, President Eisenhower 
said, it is ``our hope, and our belief, that we can help to heal this 
divided world.'' That faith in the ability of America to help bring 
peace and justice to the world was a fundamental part of Dwight 
Eisenhower. It is fitting that 50 years later the Eisenhower Exchange 
Fellowship is still promoting these values and ideas in the name of 
President Dwight David Eisenhower.
  I support H.R. 2121 and commend the Committee for bringing this 
critical bill to the floor honoring an outstanding President and a 
great Kansan.

                                                  August 15, 2003.
     Hon. Dennis J. Hastert,
     Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: I learned recently that the entire Kansas 
     delegation joined together on May 15th as original co-
     sponsors of H.R. 2121--The Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship 
     Trust Fund Enhancement Act. The purpose of the bill is to 
     increase the Federal Trust Fund established by Congress that 
     assists in funding the work of the Eisenhower Fellowships 
     program. I commend Congressman Tod Tiahrt for taking the lead 
     on introducing this legislation and encourage you to work 
     with him in getting this bill enacted into law.
       As the current Chairman of Eisenhower Fellowships, I can 
     attest to the need for increased Federal support. The 
     organization is funded by a mix of private and Federal funds. 
     Congress granted a Federal charter in 1990 (PL 101-454) and 
     created a permanent trust fund to assist the fellowship 
     program. The initial trust fund authorization has not 
     increased in over thirteen years. Although we have steadily 
     increased the levels and proportion of our private funding, 
     demand for our programs has increased far more rapidly than 
     our resources. This has been especially true since September 
     11, 2001, an event that strongly underlined the urgency of 
     our mission: building understanding and progress through 
     dialogue among leaders from around the world. Now in its 
     fiftieth year of successful operations, Eisenhower 
     Fellowships remains committed to this original goal and 
     poised to make a larger contribution.
       I therefore ask for your support of the Eisenhower Exchange 
     Fellowship Program Trust Fund Enhancement Act of 2003 by 
     scheduling this bill as soon as possible after Congress 
     returns from the August break. The timing of this is critical 
     to me and to all the supporters of the Eisenhower 
     Fellowships, since I will be chairing its 50th Anniversary 
     Board meeting on October 3, 2003, and presenting the 
     Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service to former 
     President George H.W. Bush--my predecessor as Chairman of 
     Eisenhower Fellowships. The Congressional expression of 
     support for our mission by enacting this bill into law will 
     be a key factor in strengthening this very fine example of 
     public/private endeavor in a mission critical to the U.S. 
     national interest.
           Sincerely,
                                               Henry A. Kissinger.

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2121.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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