Dick Lugar: “Today I would like to highlight the important work of a component of the LOC that is less known to colleagues, and that…”

“Today I would like to highlight the important work of a component of the LOC that is less known to colleagues, and that is its operation in Southeast Asia. The work of this regional operation immensely contributes to U.S. understanding of Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, China and India, thereby facilitating our foreign policy objectives. The LOC office is one of six overseas offices operated by the Overseas Operations Division of the LOC. Staff to the overseas offices 'acquire, catalog, preserve and distribute library and research materials . . . and provide assistance to the U.S. Congress.' For too many Americans, Southeast Asia is a distant unknown. In reality, the region is of significant economic importance to the American people. The approximately 580-million citizens--and consumers--of the 10 nations comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, represent the fourth largest market for American exports.”