[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 77 (Thursday, May 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCTION OF QATARI-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased to 
introduce a bill congratulating Qatar on the occasion of Qatari-
American Friendship Day. On Monday, May 14, 2007, the United States 
Embassy in Doha, Qatar will observe Qatar-American Friendship Day. Over 
the recent years, Qatar has become an important ally of the United 
States. It is a major defense ally in the Middle East, with Qatari and 
American forces both benefitting from close cooperation.
  I first visited Doha, Qatar in 1999 for the historic municipal 
elections where women were first granted the right to vote. It is 
important to note that Qatari women have always enjoyed the same 
political rights as men. I am most impressed by the work of His 
Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa AI-Thani and Her Highness 
Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad and their commitment to the education of 
the young women and men of the Middle East. With their vision, 
Education City Qatar now hosts five major American universities, 
including Virginia Commonwealth University of the Arts in Qatar, Weill 
Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, 
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and Georgetown University School 
of Foreign Service in Qatar.
  I would like to highlight one of those programs, the Weill Cornell 
Medical College in Qatar. Nearly 10 years ago, Qatar, the Qatar 
Foundation, the people of Qatar, and the leadership of Weill Cornell 
Medical College entered into a partnership to establish a branch in 
Doha, Qatar--the first American medical school to succeed at such an 
endeavor.
  The Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) celebrated its 
official opening on October 12, 2003 and will soon be celebrating its 
first graduating class. WCMC-Q aims to further Cornell University's 
commitment to education, research, patient care and the advancement of 
the art and science of medicine while supporting the Qatar Foundation's 
efforts to serve the local community. The College offers a complete 
medical education, leading to a Cornell University Doctor of Medicine 
(M.D.) degree, with teaching by Cornell faculty. It is the first 
American university to offer its M.D. degree overseas, and the first 
higher education institution in Qatar to be co-educational. Prospective 
students will be subject to the same entrance requirements as in the 
United States, with no geographical restrictions, and will be the first 
school of medicine established by an American university to award the 
same degree abroad that it bestows upon students in the U.S. While the 
State of Qatar underwrites the educational costs of Qatari students, it 
also offers a loan forgiveness program for foreign students if they 
commit to practicing medicine in Qatar for a specified period after 
graduation. Since 70 percent of the inaugural class are women for the 
Pre-medical Program, WCMC-Q is already demonstrating its ability to 
have an extraordinary impact in a region with few higher education 
options for women.
  In addition to providing a superb medical education, WCMC-Q serves as 
a model for strong partnership and cultural understanding in the Middle 
East. It has served as an anchor that in turn has inspired other 
leading institutions of higher education, that I mentioned previously, 
to establish similar programs in Education City.
  The leadership and the people of Qatar have clearly demonstrated 
their commitment to putting education and tolerance above hate and 
misunderstanding, one that fosters mutual respect, understanding, and 
peace in a very real and practical application. I am pleased to 
congratulate Qatar on the special occasion of Qatari-American 
Friendship Day and hope that our nations continue our long-lasting 
friendship into the future as we both strive for freedom and peace 
throughout the world.

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