[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 134 (Monday, September 12, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THIS FOR DIPLOMATS

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate THIS for 
Diplomats of Washington, DC, on its 50th anniversary. Established in 
1961, and formerly known as The Hospitality and Information Service, 
THIS has welcomed diplomats and their families from around the world to 
the Nation's Capital. Understanding the power of exchange, THIS 
continues to provide enriching educational, informational and cultural 
experiences.
  In the past year, THIS' 300 volunteers donated 20,000 hours to 
provide 65 programs and 208 language and cultural exchanges with 1734 
diplomats. Programs included seminars on American government; visits to 
the Supreme Court, White House, Pentagon, Library of Congress, private 
art collections, performances at the Kennedy Center, as well as a 
Sports in America series. Language conversation groups included Arabic, 
French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Turkish, and English.
  Diplomats and their families from all over the world speak of how 
important THIS has been to their adjustment to and appreciation of the 
United States. Congratulations to THIS for Diplomats and its volunteers 
around the world on 50 years of service in advocating peace, tolerance, 
and prosperity.

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