[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 43 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E330-E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL--WASHINGTON, DC

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2016

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of the 
World Affairs Council--Washington, DC (WAC-DC). WAC-DC is a non-profit, 
non-partisan organization dedicated to expanding awareness among the 
American public and international community of geopolitical, business, 
and civil society issues in our interconnected world.
  Since its founding in 1980, the World Affairs Council--Washington, DC 
has positively impacted the professional development of hundreds of 
thousands of teachers, educators, and students (high school and 
college) in the DC metro area, across the United States, and 
internationally through its global education, international affairs, 
and global communications programs. In 2009, WAC-DC launched its own 
weekly one hour international affairs program, World Affairs TODAY, 
that is filmed in front of a live audience in the Horizon Ballroom of 
the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and broadcast 
nationally throughout the United States.
  The Council provides a neutral, independent and non-partisan forum 
for speeches by presidents, prime ministers, cabinet officials, Members 
of Congress, and other prominent political leaders. Additionally, 
economists, diplomats, scholars, corporate leaders, authors, governors, 
researchers, journalists, and Nobel laureates are invited to 
participate. American and international speakers join Council members, 
VIP guests, online and television audiences, and the public for in-
depth discussions on major foreign policy and education issues that 
have a global impact.
  To prepare young people to compete in the 21st century, the Council 
educates students on international affairs and encourages a national 
dialogue on ``The Importance of Global Education.'' The Council's 
teacher development workshops and seminars, youth leadership forums, 
Academic World Quest competitions, internships, and international study 
abroad programs foster a balanced view of global issues. The programs 
facilitate worldwide knowledge transfer, multicultural understanding, 
and analytical insights for American and international educators, 
teachers, and high school and college students.
  The March 29, 2016 World Affairs HONORS: Global Education Gala is an 
annual event that recognizes organizations that demonstrate their 
commitment to best practices in global education, international 
affairs, and global communications. The WAC-DC will present five 
distinguished honorees with awards that exemplify the global education 
mission of the Council, which is to empower educators, students and 
citizens to effectively compete, communicate, travel and lead in our 
diverse and interconnected world.

[[Page E331]]

  The Republic of South Africa will receive the Distinguished 
Diplomatic Service Award that will be accepted by H.E. Mninwa J. 
Mahlangu, Ambassador to the United States. The IBM Corporation will 
receive the Global Education Award that will be accepted by Daniel S. 
Pelino, General Manager--Global Public Sector. The George Mason 
University will receive the Educator of the Year Award that will be 
accepted by Dr. Angel Cabrera, President. The National Geographic 
Society will receive the Global Communications Award that will be 
accepted by Gary E. Knell, President and CEO. The Keynote Address will 
be delivered by the United States Secretary of Defense, the Honorable 
Ashton Carter, who will also receive an International Public Service 
Award.
  The World Affairs Council--DC Board of Directors is composed of an 
outstanding and dedicated voluntary group of individuals, many of whom 
are nationally and internationally recognized civic, corporate, 
education, and former diplomatic and government leaders. Along with a 
dedicated professional staff, strategic partners, members, and 
volunteers, the WAC-DC is committed to helping make our nation and 
world a better place for this and future generations through its global 
education, international affairs and global communications programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 
outstanding programs that are being provided nationally and 
internationally by the World Affairs Council--Washington, DC.

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