Political Quotes

“Mr. President, in 1993, American journalist and author John Wallach hosted a dinner with leaders from Israel, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority. As he toasted his guests, he urged each country to send 15 youngsters to a new summer camp he had established in Otisfield, ME. That year, 46 teens, ages 13 to 18, and including three Americans, comprised the first class of the Seeds of Peace Camp. Twenty-five years later, Seeds of Peace now has 6,698 alumni throughout the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, and the United States. They came to Maine from 27 countries, many from places of conflict, for 3 weeks of camping and social activities to promote understanding, reconciliation, acceptance, dialogue, coexistence, and peace. They returned home uniquely positioned to lead change and with the courage to dispel the fear, mistrust, and prejudice that fuel conflict. It is a pleasure to congratulate this remarkable organization on its landmark 25th anniversary. Seeds of Peace is able to bridge borders and foster peace in the midst of longstanding global conflicts. Many of those early campers are now holding decisionmaking positions in their home countries, and I believe that the ``seeds of peace'' that were planted during their time in Maine will blossom into lasting, visionary solutions to conflicts perpetuated by cycles of violence.…”