Maxine Waters: “I strongly support H.R. 176; the Shirley A. Chisholm U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act. I am proud to be a…”

“I strongly support H.R. 176; the Shirley A. Chisholm U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. The Shirley A. Chisholm U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act creates an educational exchange program to enable students from the countries of the Caribbean Community to come to the U.S. and study at an American college or university. The bill requires program participants to return to a Caribbean country or work for the growth, progress and development of the Caribbean Community after they complete their studies. The bill also creates a program to improve primary and secondary education in the Caribbean Community through teacher training, strengthening curriculum, and improving administration and management of schools. Many Caribbean leaders have received post-secondary education in the U.S. and have used their education to strengthen Caribbean democracy and benefit Caribbean people. For example, from 2003 through 2005, a total of 217 Caribbean leaders participated in U.S. exchange programs dealing with counter-narcotics, anticorruption and good governance policies. The Shirley A. Chisholm U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act would expand these efforts to include future Caribbean leaders. It is entirely appropriate that this legislation is named after our former colleague, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.”