[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[January 2, 1992]
[Pages 8-9]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Announcing Funding for the Australian Center for American 
Studies in Canberra

January 2, 1992
    Thank you, sir, for those kind words. And let me just say how 
pleased I am to be here helping to launch this Australian Center for 
American Studies. We share a lot in common. You touched on that, sir, 
culturally, historically, even linguistically. But differences do exist. 
And we can and should do much more to foster greater understanding.
    There's much that we can learn from each other, education and the 
sciences, certainly in trade, economics. Study and exchange in these 
areas will not only benefit our two nations but enrich the lives of 
those involved and increase the productive capacities of the 
participants in our two countries' economies.
    Mutual understanding is not only enriching but also is a vital 
prerequisite to peace and prosperity. The Fulbright program has brought 
about the exchange of thousands of Australians and Americans. And among 
the many distinguished alumni of that program are my host in Sydney 
yesterday, Nick Greiner, and U.S. Ambassador, our U.N. Ambassador, Tom 
Pickering, who received his master's degree from Melborne University.
    The benefits of educational interchange come in many, many ways. The 
late Gordon Samstag, an American artist who taught at the South 
Australia School of Fine Arts, endowed that school with a scholarship 
fund of $6 million to support Australian students studying abroad. And 
in 1988, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke helped to launch this Center 
for Australian Studies at the U.T., at the University of Texas at 
Austin, contributing $50,000 Australian dollars to the Center.
    Today I'm pleased to announce that the U.S. Information Agency is 
similarly contributing $50,000 to the Australian Center for American 
Studies. I hope this center will lead to an expansion of American 
studies in Australia. More broadly, I have spoken today about our 
intention to host an education ministerial under APEC auspices. And our 
Secretary of Education will invite APEC education ministers to 
Washington next summer. And I'm very enthusiastic about this addition to 
APEC's agenda. It

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seems only right that it not all be about politics and war and peace. 
We're talking here about an educational agenda.
    The challenge the future holds is to find new ways to increase 
mutual understanding. And I am confident that the Australian Center will 
open many new paths for Americans and Australians to deepen these ties, 
deepen our ties and help ensure prosperity for our citizens.
    So, this is a good day, a happy day. And I know I speak for Barbara 
when I say that we are both proud to have a part in it.
    And to those Australians here, let me just tell you what I told our 
joint meeting in here. We've really had a good time here. And your 
hospitality has been absolutely fantastic. And I think it says something 
about how this center can prosper. People just get that feeling of 
mutual camaraderie, et cetera. That in itself, I think, will help in 
these troubled times.
    So, thank you all very much for being a part of this.

                    Note: The President spoke at 2:20 p.m. in Mural Hall 
                        at Parliament House. In his remarks, he referred 
                        to Nick Greiner, Premier of New South Wales.