(Updated September 25, 2006)
H.Con.Res. 430
Recognizing the Accomplishments of the American Council of Young Political
Leaders for Providing 40 Years of International Exchange Programs, Increasing
International Dialogue, and Enhancing Global Understanding, and Commemorating
its 40th Anniversary
Floor Situation
The House is scheduled to consider H.Con.Res. 430, under suspension of the rules, on
Monday, September 25, 2006. It is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be
amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.
Summary
H.Con.Res 430 resolves that the
Congress commends the American Council of Young Political Leaders for working
for forty years to prepare young political leaders to play a leadership role in
international relations and world affairs, Congress congratulates the American
Council of Young Political Leaders for exemplifying a stellar example of public
diplomacy that works, and Congress salutes the American Council of Young
Political Leaders for being a preeminent catalyst for introducing rising
political leaders and policy makers to international affairs and to each other.
Background
Citizen-to-citizen exchanges
offer unique opportunities for learning from one another about commonly-shared
solutions to problems, as well as different perspectives on forms of government
and the aspirations other nations have for their citizens.
The American Council of Young Political Leaders (hereinafter referred to as the
`ACYPL') was incorporated on September 1, 1966, by young leaders to open lines
of communication and increase cross cultural understanding among future
generations of political leadership.
ACYPL prepares in-depth study tours for young leaders, aged between 25 and 40
years old, to give them much-needed international exposure early in their
political careers.
ACYPL targets young politicians likely to assume future positions of
responsibility and leadership as Federal and State legislators, mayors, city
council members and other State and local elected officials, many of whom may
not have previously traveled outside the United States.
ACYPL programs are strictly bipartisan: American delegates are drawn equally
from both major political parties and from all 50 States; ACYPL's overseas
delegations are chosen to represent the political and cultural diversity of
their home countries.
Every dollar ACYPL receives in Federal funding becomes about another dollar and
fifty cents through cost-share, in-kind contributions and outside fundraising,
making this program one of the most cost effective public diplomacy programs
supported by the United States Department of State.
The ACYPL's operations have evolved from its initial focus on Western Europe
where there was limited interaction between the emerging leadership in the
post-World War II nations and the United States to meet the challenges and to
embrace public diplomacy opportunities in a changing world.
In the ensuing decades, the ACYPL's programs have extended to 90 nations in all
regions of the world, including the Middle East, sub-Sahara Africa, the Western
Hemisphere, East Asia, and the Pacific Rim.
IACYPL became one of the very few organizations with which the Soviet Union
agreed to conduct political exchanges during the height of the Cold War, and
ACYPL launched an exchange relationship between young political leaders in the
United States and China following normalization of relations in 1979.
IACYPL exchange programs have endured during times of government-to-government
strain, such as with China during the hostilities in Tiananmen Square and the
Hainan Island incident, with the Soviets during their war in Afghanistan, and
with Venezuela today.
IACYPL maintains its legacy of exchanging with recent post-conflict nations and
assembling young leaders from places that have experienced bitter conflict,
including Vietnam, Northern Ireland, Pakistan and India, Israel and the West
Bank, and Greece and Turkey.
Since 1966, the ACYPL has produced a global network of more than six thousand
alumni, a large number of whom have risen to positions of great influence in the
United States and in nations around the world.
Prominent American ACYPL alumni include members of the United States Congress,
cabinet members, governors, United States ambassadors, and many senior level
national, State, and local executive and legislative branch officials.
Distinguished international ACYPL alumni include prime ministers, cabinet
members, ambassadors and parliamentarians.
ACYPL looks to the future in an increasingly uncertain world, and remains
steadfast in its mission to promote understanding and cultivate lasting
political, economic and cultural relationships among young political leaders and
policy-makers worldwide through the regular exchange of delegations, educational
forums, leadership training and ongoing dialogue.
Legislative History
H.Con.Res. 430 was introduced by Rep.
Thomas (CA) on June 14, 2006. The bill was referred to the International
Relations Committee, but was not considered.
For additional information or questions, please contact Rep. Thomas' office at 5-2915.