III

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 87

Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the International Visitors Program.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

APRIL 27, 1999

Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. BOND, and Mr. MOYNIHAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the International

Visitors Program.

Whereas the year 2000 marks the 60th Anniversary of the

International Visitors Program;

Whereas the International Visitors Program is the public diplomacy initiative of the United States Department of

State that brings distinguished foreign leaders to the

United States for short-term professional programs under

the authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural

Exchange Act of 1961;

Whereas the purposes of the International Visitors Program

include—

(1) increasing mutual understanding and strengthening bilateral relations between the United States and

other nations;
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(2) developing the web of human connections essential for successful economic and commercial relations, security arrangements, and diplomatic agreements with

other nations; and

(3) building cooperation among nations to solve

global problems and to achieve a more peaceful world;

Whereas during 6 decades more than 122,000 emerging leaders and specialists from around the world have experienced American democratic institutions, cultural diversity, and core values firsthand as participants in the

International Visitors Program;

Whereas thousands of participants in the International Visitors Program rise to influential leadership positions in

their countries each year;

Whereas among the International Visitors Program alumni

are 185 current and former Chiefs-of-State or Heads of

Government, and more than 600 alumni have served as

cabinet level ministers;

Whereas prominent alumni of the International Visitors Program include Margaret Thatcher, Anwar Sadat, F.W. de

Klerk, Indira Gandhi, and Tony Blair;

Whereas a new configuration of domestic forces has emerged

which is shaping global policy and empowering private

citizens to an unprecedented degree;

Whereas each year more than 80,000 volunteers affiliated

with 97 community-based member organizations and 7

program agency members of the National Council for

International Visitors across the United States are actively serving as ‘‘citizen diplomats’’ organizing programs

and welcoming International Visitors Program participants into their homes, schools, and workplaces;
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Whereas all of the funds appropriated for the International

Visitors Program are spent in the United States, and

such spending leverages private contributions at a ratio

of 1 to 12;

Whereas the International Visitors Program corrects distorted images of the United States, effectively countering

misperceptions, underscoring common human aspirations,

advancing United States democratic values, and building

a foundation for national and economic security;

Whereas the International Visitors Program provides valuable

educational opportunities for United States citizens

through special ‘‘Back to School With International Visitor’’ programs and events that increase the knowledge of

Americans about foreign societies and cultures, and bring

attention to international issues crucial to interests of the

United States;

Whereas the International Visitors Program offers emerging

foreign leaders a unique view of America, highlighting its

vibrant private sector, including both businesses and nonprofit organizations, through farm stays, home hospitality, and meetings with their professional counterparts;

and

Whereas the International Visitors Program introduces foreign leaders, specialists, and scholars to the American

tradition of volunteerism through exposure to the daily

work of thousands of ‘‘citizen diplomats’’ who share the

best of America with those foreign leaders, specialists,

and scholars: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

2 (1) commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the

3 International Visitors Program and the remarkable
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1 public-private sector partnership that sustains it;

2 and

3 (2) commends the achievements of the thou4 sands of volunteers who are part of the National

5 Council for International Visitors ‘‘citizen dip6 lomats’’ who for 6 decades have daily worked to

7 share the best of America with foreign leaders, spe8 cialists, and scholars.

Æ