[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21145-21146]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         WE MUST ACTIVELY AND CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGE CENTRAL ASIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce two bills that will 
provide increased aid to an important region of the world.
  Central Asia, specifically Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, 
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, is a beautiful region with a rich 
cultural heritage and an immense potential for stability and 
prosperity.
  In the years following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, there 
was hope and optimism about the future of Central Asia. Unfortunately, 
the United States stood back and watched without any consistent or 
substantive policy for the region.
  One by one, Central Asia States, most notably Tajikistan and 
Turkmenistan, have taken multiple and swift steps backwards toward 
oppressive police regimes that strangle freedom and democracy.
  But we must not lose sight of the progress that many of these 
countries have made over the past decade.
  The people of Central Asia are hungry for democracy, thirsty for 
economic prosperity, and strongly desire close relations with the U.S. 
If we do not comprehensively engage this region, the U.S. will have no 
standing to effect positive change and the downward trend will 
continue.
  We must build relationships with these countries--both economically 
and politically, and show them that freedom and democracy leads to 
prosperity. In doing this, we need to be an honest partner with them. 
We need to highlight when positive steps toward change are taken and 
send a clear message when respect for human rights is violated.
  With this said, I am introducing two bills that will promote 
engagement in the region. The first will authorize a pilot exchange 
program of academic internships in public policy for future leaders of 
the republics of Central Asia.
  This needed program will provide young people from this critical 
region with experience to better understand our form of democracy and 
public service, and practice their skills at working within 
associations, NGOS, and government.
  This initiative is intended to complement our existing exchange 
programs with Central Asia by targeting undergraduate and graduate 
students for six-month internships in public positions and utilizing a 
proven model that combines a four-day-a-week, on-the-job practicum with 
a day of class work.
  Today, demand for scholarships, exchanges, and fellowships for 
students from Central Asia far outstrips supply. Thousands of 
students--high school through graduate--have applied for limited slots.
  My bill will take the next step in expanding these opportunities.
  Central Asia has a high population of young people and the future of 
the region rests in their hands. If democracy is to succeed, if 
economic prosperity is to be realized, if human

[[Page 21146]]

rights are to be protected, then we must patiently engage this region 
and provide its young people with greater opportunities.
  My second bill, entitled the ``Central Asia Child Health Improvement 
Act,'' will provide assistance for the prevention, treatment, and 
control of HIV/AlDs, tuberculosis, malaria, polio and other infectious 
diseases affecting children in Central Asia.
  Specifically, this bill will establish a series of partnerships 
between U.S. medical institutions and health service providers and such 
institutions and providers in the countries of Central Asia to carry 
out various child health programs.
  These partnerships will provide a telehealth network of medical 
information, services, and support to ensure health service providers 
in Central Asia can adequately respond to health concerns in the 
region.
  Like my previous bill establishing internship exchanges, this bill 
utilizes a proven model that is implemented elsewhere in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, we must actively and continuously engage Central Asia. 
The legislation I am introducing today takes an important step in this 
direction.
  Child health and education are two pillars to a prosperous, free, and 
democratic society. Let's begin to build these pillars in Central Asia.
  I urge my colleagues to support and cosponsor these bills.

                          ____________________