[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17614]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   THIS 45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate The 
Hospitality and Information Service, THIS, of Washington, DC, on its 
45th anniversary. Since 1961 THIS volunteers have welcomed diplomats 
and their families to Washington, providing friendship, assistance and 
an understanding of Washington and the United States.
  THIS is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1961 at the 
suggestion of Angie Biddle, then Chief of Protocol, to help the 
hundreds of newly arrived diplomats and their families adjust to 
Washington. In 1961 there were 101 Embassies with 1,200 diplomatic 
families. Today embassies total more than 170 with 4,000 diplomats and 
families in Washington. THIS' 400 volunteers provide a variety of 
services and programs to help diplomats and their families learn about 
Washington through English and seven foreign language conversation 
groups and a book club. Programs include forums for discussion of 
issues that are world-wide in scope, such as health, human rights and 
education. They also conduct programs on government affairs, performing 
arts, architecture and American history.
  THIS plays an important role in welcoming foreign diplomats to 
Washington and has made a difference in the lives of diplomats from 
many countries. As just a few have said:
  ``I would like to thank THIS for the wonderful work that you do and 
for your warm and friendly attention.'' Miriam Barak--Israel
  ``I express both my pleasure and my gratitude to the THIS 
organization as a whole. THIS is a wonderful vehicle by which the best 
of America is portrayed. Such an organization can only be an 
influential force for good.'' Ann Robinson--Great Britain
  ``THIS is a fantastic organization. It makes me feel very welcomed 
and comfortable . . . THIS has given me better understanding of the 
U.S. life and society and also given me some new good American 
friends.'' Ingela Beiming--Sweden
  ``THIS is a window that opens Washington for us and lets us 
experience and know it. It opens opportunities to meet different 
people.'' Marilia Bulhoes--Brazil
  Congratulations to THIS and its volunteers on 45 years of service to 
the diplomatic community.

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