Maxwell Frost: “I am not sure the current legislature would have done the same thing, but that was a different era. Again…”

“I am not sure the current legislature would have done the same thing, but that was a different era. Again, congratulations to you, Connie, and thank you so much for all you have done and continue to do for FMC. It is now my great honor in my capacity as president of FMC to report on FMC's activities for 2018 and 2019. We are one of a very small group of nonprofits that have a congressional charter, and as such, we are required to report to Congress every year on our past activities. I will give a broad overview of our past work and have submitted for the Record a more detailed written report. Now, I must note that the very competent staff member who prepared these remarks doesn't realize that some of us from the South speak more slowly than some other people from the rest of the country, so Phil Gingrey, who will speak later, and I will try to speed it up as much as we can. Our association was founded in 1970 and chartered by Congress 13 years later, in 1983. We are completely bipartisan and see our mission as informing about Congress and bridging the political divide. That mission is translated into programs that bring former Members together with student audiences across the Nation, focusing on civics and public service. We also further our mission by creating programs and study missions involving current Members of Congress on a bipartisan basis. This work, over the years, has been extended to now include congressional staff, both from the D.C.…”