Patsy T. Mink: “I rise today to thank the Members of the House Committee on International Relations for including $13.5 million for the…”

“I rise today to thank the Members of the House Committee on International Relations for including $13.5 million for the East-West Center in the FY2002 State Department Authorization bill. An amendment to delete this funding was overwhelming defeated in Committee on a vote of 6 yeas to 30 noes. The last time we considered the State Department Authorization bill in July 1999, we had to defeat an amendment on the floor to reduce the funding authorization for the East-West Center, North-South Center, and the Asia Foundation. That amendment was defeated on a vote of 180 yeas to 237 noes. I am very pleased that we face no such amendment this year. The East-West Center is an internationally respected research and educational institution based in Hawaii with a 40-year record of achievement. It is an important forum for the development of policies to promote stability and economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1960 through a bipartisan effort of the Eisenhower Administration and the Congress, the Center has worked to promote better relations and understanding between the United States and the nations and peoples of Asia and the Pacific through cooperative study, training, and research.”