[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        UNITED STATES CARIBBEAN EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to express praise 
and support for H.R. 176, introduced by Representative Barbara Lee.
  This bill would provide financial assistance for an educational 
exchange program for U.S. and Caribbean students and enhance training 
for Caribbean educators. A program such as this would enable students 
from the U.S. and the Caribbean to gain a wealth of academic and 
cultural knowledge. Further, it would contribute to enhancing the 
relationship the U.S. has with its Caribbean neighbors.
  This past June, heads of state from the Caribbean visited Washington, 
DC for a week long conference. I attended meetings with them to learn 
more about the needs of their countries and to begin a dialogue that 
would foster closer diplomatic relations. I learned more about the 
Caribbean nations difficult challenges with widespread poverty, crime, 
and drug addiction.
  While I and others in the executive and legislative branches of 
government worked towards strengthening our government-to-government 
ties, non-governmental organizations and ordinary citizens meet in 
seminars organized to foster closer people-to-people ties.
  I am particularly concerned about trade, economic growth, and 
national security, all of which have a connection to the social 
challenges in some Caribbean nations.
  Due to globalization and other advances in technology, the world is 
getting smaller and thus competition in the marketplace will be more 
rigorous. In order for people of the Caribbean to compete in the future 
marketplace, they will need an education in the characteristics of 
globalization.
  It is clear that education is a key ingredient to resolving poverty, 
not only in the U.S., but in the Caribbean as well. The lack of 
opportunities to receive an education has far reaching implications. 
This bill offers some help with addressing the social issues that are 
threatening the health and stability of the Caribbean, which has a 
direct connection to limited educational opportunities. It is important 
for the U.S. to play a role in uplifting the people of the Caribbean.
  I applaud Representative Lee for introducing this bill and 
highlighting the need for the U.S. to create strong educational 
exchange programs with the Caribbean. I urge my colleagues to support 
this bill. Supporting this bill will affirm the U.S. interest in 
building relationships with the Caribbean, which strengthen the ties 
between our people and have a lasting beneficial impact upon the 
region.

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