[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 74 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AU PAIR PROGRAM

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I would like to bring to the attention 
of my colleagues a milestone that has been reached by an important 
cultural exchange program administered by the State Department. In 
1986, the United States Information Agency, USIA, exercised its 
authority under the Fulbright/ Hays Act to establish the Au Pair 
Program on a pilot basis. This initiative was designed to provide 
opportunities for young Europeans to live with an American family, care 
for children, and pursue their educational interests.
  One of the leaders in developing the concept of the Au Pair Program 
was the American Institute in Foreign Study, AIFS, located in my 
hometown of Stamford, CT. AIFS was one of the initial sponsors and 
worked in connection with the State Department to develop a 
comprehensive framework that supports American families and foreign 
nationals.
  Over the past 25 years, the Au Pair Program has grown dramatically. 
Congress assisted in that growth by passing legislation, signed into 
law by President Clinton in 1997, which gave the Au Pair Program 
permanent authority under the J-1 visa program. This initiative has 
proven to be a remarkable success. In fact, over 180,000 au pairs from 
over 60 countries have lived with an American family for a year since 
the program's inception.
  I can personally attest to the strength and value of the Au Pair 
Program. When our youngest daughter was growing up, Hadassah and I had 
several au pairs. They became part of our extended family and we still 
keep in touch with them today. The exchange experience enriched the 
lives of our au pair and my family through the sharing of culture, 
language, and religion.
  I am pleased the U.S. State Department is holding a reception on June 
9, 2011, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Au Pair Program. I 
commend all those who have made this program so successful, and in 
particular AIFS, for its vision and leadership.

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