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.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (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.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H. Con. Res. 430, which was introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), recognizes the 40th anniversary of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and commends it for 40 years of working to prepare young political leaders to play a leadership role in international relations and world affairs.

This council is a not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., which was incorporated on September 1, 1966. Since then, it has worked to promote understanding and cultivate lasting political, economic, and cultural relationships among young political leaders and policymakers throughout the world through the regular exchange of bipartisan delegations, educational forums, leadership training and ongoing dialogue.

When this Young Political Leaders group was founded during the Cold War, its efforts initially focused on Western Europe. Over the past 4 decades, its programs have expanded to include over 90 nations throughout the world, including the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, the Western Hemisphere, East Asia, and the Pacific Rim.

The organization has also worked to better prepare young political leaders between the ages of 25 and 40 years old for future positions of responsibility in local, State, and Federal governments. It offers young leaders, some who may have never traveled outside the United States, the opportunity to enhance their awareness and understanding of other cultures through in-depth study tours, which are strictly bipartisan and carefully selected to represent geographical and cultural diversity.

It is important to note that every Member of Congress and all 50 Governors may nominate young political leaders as possible candidates to participate in the organization's in-depth study tours.

It has more than 6,000 alumni throughout the world, many of whom have risen to positions of great responsibility. In the United States, alumni include Members of Congress, the Cabinet, ambassadors and many senior level officials who serve in local, State and national government. Internationally, past participants of its program now serve as Cabinet members, ambassadors, parliamentarians and as other senior level policymakers.

The council's work to establish early relationships among such future leaders helps facilitate international dialogue and strengthen and promote U.S. policies and objectives. Accordingly, Congress congratulates the American Council of Young Political Leaders upon its 40th anniversary and wishes it continued success in its efforts.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this House concurrent resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 430, which recognizes the 40th anniversary of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) and commends it for the work it has done over the past 40 years to prepare young political leaders for leadership roles in international relations and world affairs. As an alumnus of an ACYPL program and the sponsor of H. Con. Res. 430, I appreciate the House's consideration of this resolution as well as Chairman Hyde's efforts to bring it to the floor today.

When ACYPL began during the Cold War, it initially focused its efforts on improving young leaders' understanding of Western Europe. In fact, when I participated in an ACYPL program in the 1970s, I traveled to the former Soviet Union. However, as geopolitical conditions have changed over the past 40 years, ACYPL has expanded its bipartisan programs to include over 90 nations throughout the world, including the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, the Western Hemisphere, East Asia, and the Pacific Rim.

As technology and trade continue to advance, the world will likely become even more interconnected. Thus, the need for our young leaders to better understand foreign governments and cultures will continue to be important, along with the bipartisan international exchange programs, educational forums, and leadership training ACYPL provides to prepare young political leaders for future positions of responsibility in local, state, and federal government. Accordingly, I congratulate ACYPL on its 40th anniversary, commend it for its important work, and wish it continued success.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I first would like to commend my friend, fellow Californian, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Bill Thomas, for introducing this measure. I have worked with him on many different issues over the many years we have both served here, from Africa to Southeast Asia, and I am sure all of us will miss him when Congress reconvenes next January.

The resolution before the House recognizes the achievements of the American Council of Young Political Leaders, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Bill Thomas has served on the board of directors of this fine organization, and we commend his leadership on behalf of

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res 430.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment at the desk be agreed to, the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble, as amended, be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.