[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 130 (Wednesday, September 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10085-H10088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES-POLAND PARLIAMENTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM ACT OF 2007
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the Senate bill (S. 377) to establish a United States-Poland
parliamentary youth exchange program, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is as follows:
S. 377
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 ``United States-Poland
Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States established diplomatic relations with
the newly-formed Polish Republic in April 1919.
(2) The United States and Poland have enjoyed close
bilateral relations since 1989.
(3) Poland became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) in March 1999.
(4) Poland became a member of the European Union (EU) in
May 2004.
(5) Poland has been a strong supporter, both diplomatically
and militarily, of efforts led by the United States to combat
global terrorism and has contributed troops to the United
States-led coalitions in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
(6) Poland cooperates closely with the United States on
such issues as democratization, nuclear proliferation, human
rights, regional cooperation in Eastern Europe, and reform of
the United Nations.
(7) The United States and Poland seek to ensure enduring
ties between both governments and societies.
(8) It is important to invest in the youth of the United
States and Poland in order to help ensure long-lasting ties
between both societies.
(9) It is in the interest of the United States to preserve
a United States presence in Europe and to continue to
contribute to the development of transatlantic relationships.
(10) Poland for many years received international and
United States financial assistance and is now determined to
invest its own
[[Page H10086]]
resources toward attaining its shared desire with the United
States to develop international cooperation.
SEC. 3. UNITED STATES-POLAND PARLIAMENTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE
PROGRAM.
(a) Authority.--The Secretary of State, in cooperation with
the Government of Poland, may establish and carry out a
parliamentary exchange program for youth of the United States
and Poland.
(b) Designation.--The youth exchange program carried out
under this subsection shall be known as the ``United States-
Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program''.
(c) Purpose.--The purpose of the youth exchange program is
to demonstrate to the youth of the United States and Poland
the benefits of friendly cooperation between the United
States and Poland based on common political and cultural
values.
(d) Eligible Participants.--An individual is eligible for
participation in the youth exchange program if the
individual--
(1) is a citizen or national of the United States or of
Poland;
(2) is under the age of 19 years;
(3) is a student who is enrolled and in good standing at a
secondary school in the United States or Poland;
(4) has been accepted for up to one academic year of study
in a program of study abroad approved for credit at such
school; and
(5) meets any other qualifications that the Secretary of
State may establish for purposes of the program.
(e) Program Elements.--Under the youth exchange program,
eligible participants selected for participation in the
program shall--
(1) live in and attend a public secondary school in the
host country for a period of one academic year;
(2) while attending public school in the host country,
undertake academic studies in the host country, with
particular emphasis on the history, constitution, and
political development of the host country;
(3) be eligible, either during or after the completion of
such academic studies, for an internship in an appropriate
position in the host country; and
(4) engage in such other activities as the President
considers appropriate to achieve the purpose of the program.
SEC. 4. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.
The Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives an annual report on
the United States-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program
established under this Act. Each annual report shall
include--
(1) information on the implementation of the Program during
the preceding year:
(2) the number of participants in the Program during such
year;
(3) the names and locations of the secondary schools in the
United States and Poland attended by such participants;
(4) a description of the areas of study of such
participants during their participation in the Program;
(5) a description of any internships taken by such
participants during their participation in the Program; and
(6) a description of any other activities such participants
carried out during their participation in the Program.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
the Department of State for fiscal year 2008 such sums as may
be necessary to carry out the youth exchange program
authorized by this Act.
(b) Availability.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated by
subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms.
Ros-Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from American Samoa.
General Leave
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from American Samoa?
There was no objection.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
bill and yield myself such time as I may consume.
Let me first thank our distinguished chairman of the committee, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), and our senior ranking member,
the gentlelady from Florida, for their support and for their leadership
in bringing this bill before the floor.
And let me thank our eminent colleague in the other Chamber, the
distinguished Senator from Indiana (Senator Lugar) for his leadership
on this important issue. It is exemplary of his sage leadership on so
many foreign affairs matters.
Madam Speaker, in 1777, while serving the American cause in Paris,
Benjamin Franklin discovered a brilliant Polish military tactician. His
name was Casimir Pulaski. A leader in Poland's bitter campaign to beat
back Russia, the nobleman Pulaski sacrificed his status in Europe to
join the American revolution in the New World. It did not take long for
George Washington to recognize the great talent he had on his hands. He
promoted Pulaski to brigadier general, placing him in charge of four
horse brigades.
Pulaski's prowess and strategic skill during the Revolutionary War
became renowned. So dedicated was he to our cause that when funding ran
low among the colonials, he used some of his own money to purchase
equipment for his men.
General Pulaski, who eventually went down in the history books as the
father of the American cavalry, is just one of the many important
Polish figures who have contributed greatly to the United States and to
the world. The relationship between the people of our two countries has
flourished in recent years since the fall of communism, but it actually
dates back centuries to the founding of our Nation.
Today, this Congress aims to help the people of Poland rear the next
generation of productive, inventive and standout individuals. This bill
authorizes an educational exchange program between our two nations that
promises to be mutually beneficial and strengthen the alliance between
our two nations.
This program will be identical in its structure and operation to the
successful Congress-Bundestag exchange that was launched in 1983. Over
the last quarter century, thousands of young Americans and Germans have
seized the opportunity to spend an academic year living and studying
with their foreign peers.
As a result, these secondary school students have gained a better
understanding of each other's way of life and have begun developing
into citizens of the world. With the authorization and funding of the
bilateral initiative before us today, we will extend the same
opportunities to our young friends in Poland.
Cross-cultural exchange is the most powerful way of creating harmony
among nations. And study abroad programs represent the most powerful
type of exchange because they foster understanding and education about
other nations at an early age. The country of Poland is one of our most
important allies in Europe, has supported us in our fight against
terrorism, and stood with us by contributing troops to Afghanistan and
Iraq. The Polish people have made great strides since the fall of
communism liberalizing their economy, joining NATO in 1999, and
becoming a Member of the European Union in 2004.
It is high time that we recognize and advance Poland's place in the
world, as well as our special relationship with that nation, by
initiating a robust educational exchange program.
Madam Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this proposed bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of Senate bill 377, the
United States-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program Act.
This bill, introduced by Senator Lugar, and already passed by the
Senate in March, would establish a formal parliamentary youth exchange
program for American and Polish secondary students. The purpose of this
exchange program is to demonstrate to the youth of Poland and to the
United States the benefits of friendly cooperation based on our shared
political and cultural values.
The United States and Poland have enjoyed close bilateral relations
since the end of the Cold War. Poland has supported U.S.-led efforts to
fight global terrorism, has contributed troops to coalition forces in
Afghanistan and Iraq, and has cooperated closely with the United States
to promote democracy and human rights around the world and to reform
the United Nations.
{time} 1100
By focusing on the source of our common future, our young people,
this bill will further cement the friendship and the ideals that our
two nations already
[[Page H10087]]
share. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
worthwhile endeavor.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, it is with pleasure that I yield 3
minutes to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut
and a member of the Financial Services and Government Reform
Committees, Congressman Murphy.
Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support
today of S. 377, the United States and Poland Parliamentary Youth
Exchange Program Act.
Poland, as has been said by both of our previous speakers, has
demonstrated an amazing commitment both to democratic values and to
their role as an ally of the United States. I remember, as a teenager,
if I might date myself, watching in rapt attention as Lech Walesa and
his solidarity movement defeated the Communist Party in Poland in
parliamentary elections, and then watching Walesa go on to become
president of Poland in 1990. That solidarity movement heralded the
collapse of communism across Eastern Europe.
This United States and Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange will allow
American students to learn much more about this very important heritage
of our neighbors in Eastern Europe. Eligible participants in the
program will attend a public high school for one academic year and
enroll in courses that place a particular emphasis on their host
country's history, the establishment of its Constitution, the nation's
birth and its political development.
Though my last name might not give a hint to this, I am a very proud
Polish American. My mother's family emigrated from Poland to New
Britain, Connecticut some generations ago. And if you have a chance to
drive through the great State of Connecticut and you're looking for a
great place to grab a bite to eat, stop off in New Britain,
Connecticut. Go to Broad Street, where we still have Polish language
storefronts selling some of the best Polish food that you'll find in
eastern Connecticut.
And I appreciate the gentleman spending a little time remarking about
General Pulaski. We take that legacy very seriously in New Britain. We
still celebrate Pulaski Day with a Pulaski parade that runs not very
far from Pulaski School and ends up at the Pulaski Club. So we are very
serious students of Polish history in New Britain, Connecticut, and I
can't think of a better program than one such as this that will allow
children of a community such as ours in New Britain, whose forefathers
came from that country, to be able to go there and strengthen their
appreciation for that culture and that country's heritage.
I'd like to thank Representative Visclosky, especially, and
Representative Emanuel for bringing this legislation before the House
floor today and, of course, Senator Lugar for being such a champion in
the Senate. This will mean a great deal to our small community of New
Britain and the entire Polish American community in the Fifth District
of Connecticut.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of our time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from
Connecticut and his support and statement. Nothing like having an Irish
Polish American to be supportive of his proposed legislation.
Madam Speaker, I would love to yield 5 minutes now to my dear friend,
distinguished member of the Appropriations Committee, the gentleman
from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky). That's a good Polish name.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S.
377, the United States and Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program
Act of 2007. I am the sponsor of the House version of this legislation,
and I would like to thank my 13 colleagues, including the gentleman
from Connecticut, who are cosponsors of the measure.
I would especially like to thank the distinguished senior Senator
from the State of Indiana, Richard Lugar, for originating this
legislation and introducing it in the other body. And I would be remiss
if I did not thank the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), as well as the ranking member of the
full committee, the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), as well
as Mr. Lantos and the members of the committee for their consideration
of the measure.
It is my sincere hope that this legislation will become the
foundation for future youth exchange programs around the world. As
technology and transportation makes the world more and more
interconnected, it is essential that our youth and future leaders have
firsthand experiences in other cultures when making decisions. A lot
can be learned about a different culture from a book or a picture, but
it is not nearly the same as living, studying and working in another
culture for an entire year, which is what the U.S.-Poland Parliamentary
Youth Exchange Program will enable youths from American and Polish high
schools to do.
Senator Lugar has been a guiding light in promoting cultural exchange
programs between America and countless other countries throughout his
tenure, and it has been my privilege to work with him on this
legislation. The Senator's genuine interest in the cultures of the
world is reflected in all his actions, and he understands the priceless
value of cultural exchange programs as embodied in the U.S. and Poland
Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program. This program will have a profound
effect on the youth of our two countries, and it can only strengthen
the unbreakable friendship between the United States and Poland.
I too am very proud of the Polish community in Indiana's First
Congressional District. This proud community is an integral part of the
greater northwest area community in Indiana, and enhances the culture
of my district in countless ways. I am happy that the U.S. and Poland
Youth Exchange Program will allow all facets of the Polish culture to
be experienced firsthand by American youth.
Madam Speaker, we should not delay in this opportunity for our youth
to be immersed in Poland's rich culture and in this opportunity to
share our culture with Polish youth. And I would urge my colleagues to
support the measure.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Indiana
for his most eloquent speech.
At this time I would like to yield 2 minutes to my good friend from
New Jersey (Mr. Payne), a senior member of the Foreign Affairs
Committee.
(Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, let me commend Senator Lugar for this fine
legislation. Senator Lugar is such an outstanding leader.
And I would also like to say that Count Casimir Pulaski was a person,
as a historian, that did so much in the Revolutionary War. We actually
defeated Cromwell at the major battle.
I had the opportunity also to teach at Pulaski School in New Jersey
when I was a school teacher in Passaic, and the Polish community was
very strong in that area. And so I learned a lot, from Yak Samas and
Dobcha, from my students and their parents.
I think that parliamentary exchanges are outstanding. As we remember
Lech Walesa and the solidarity movement, we do see the challenge for
the shipyards there in Poland, but hopefully they will be able to
sustain themselves. I think that these various types of parliamentary
exchanges do a great deal.
I visited Poland in 1967 and went back again in the late 1990s and
early 2000 to see the tremendous difference of the 1967 Poland that was
drab and going through many, many problems with pollution and the
communist system. But with the breakdown of the Warsaw Pact and Poland
being able to have democracy, it's really a tremendous country. And as
a member of the House Democratic Assistance Corporation here in the
House, we certainly strongly push for parliamentary exchanges, and so I
certainly support this.
I thank Mr. Eni Faleomavaega for bringing this to the floor.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by
[[Page H10088]]
the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 377.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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