Maurice Hinchey: “I want to, first of all, extend my appreciation for the leadership that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman)…”

“I want to, first of all, extend my appreciation for the leadership that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), chairman of the Committee on International Relations, is showing with regard to the introduction of this measure. What the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) is doing here, I think, is extremely important; and the importance of it will resound for many years, decades and longer into the future. I also want to express my appreciation to Roger Bowen, who is the president of the State University College at New Paltz for his interest in international studies and promoting study abroad. The bill of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) is an extremely important measure. Obviously, it is important for these students who will be the primary beneficiaries in that they will have the opportunity to travel and study in a foreign country and get all of the benefits that flow from such an experience, benefits of interacting with the culture that is different from their own, benefits from having the opportunity to become more familiar with the language which is different from their own, and also opportunities to expand their own personal knowledge and experience. But the beneficiaries of this bill go far beyond the individuals who will be initially benefited. In fact, I think, Mr. Speaker, the initiative of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) will benefit the country as a whole.”