[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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