[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 140 (Tuesday, August 30, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING ILIR ZHERKA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. HIMES

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 30, 2022

  Mr. HIMES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ilir Zherka's 
service as Executive Director of the Alliance for International 
Exchange. For nearly seven years, Ilir has devoted himself to advancing 
person-to-person exchanges and fostering greater global connectivity. 
During that time, the Alliance has forged deeper relationships between 
its members and federal officials, and federal funding for educational 
and cultural exchange programs has reached record levels.
  Ilir's tenure coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which derailed 
countless exchange opportunities and threatened the short-term 
viability of any international linkages. Under Ilir's steady hand, 
however, the Alliance helped expand on line programming and worked to 
ease barriers to participation.
  Ilir also recognizes the role that exchanges play in strengthening 
global democratic networks. I commend the Alliance's work to promote 
freedom and American values within the international exchange community 
as a means for reversing the global decline of democracy.
  While the exchange community will feel his absence, Ilir's legacy 
will endure through new and fortified international relationships. I 
join the Alliance in thanking Ilir for his years of steadfast service, 
and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

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