[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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