IRI Continues to Promote Freedom Around the World
IRI CONTINUES TO PROMOTE FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD-HON. JOE WILSON (Extensions of Remarks - April 27, 2004)
HON. JOE WILSON
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have previously expressed my support for the International Republican Institute's (IRI) outstanding work in Iraq, Eastern Europe, and Africa and want to reiterate my support as IRI celebrates its 20th anniversary. Tonight, IRI led by president George Folsom will celebrate this auspicious occasion during its 2004 Freedom Dinner at which IRI will present the Freedom Award for advancing democracy to Dr. Condeleeza Rice, the National Security Advisor, and honor the late Sergio de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who was killed in Iraq.
I also want to focus on the unique opportunities which IRI provides for Americans to share the skills they have honed on campaign trails and in the halls of Congress with their counterparts in developing democracies. Volunteers from across the U.S. augment IRI's operations in over 56 countries by conducting specialized training missions on crafting campaign finance laws, strengthening political participation among women and youth, and implementing political polling. Additionally, IRI frequently sends volunteers to serve on election observation missions. Recently, my own Chief of Staff, Eric Dell returned from an election observation mission in Macedonia where he worked with IRI professionals from across the globe.
Mr. Speaker, IRI's use of volunteers builds goodwill for the U.S. as Americans assist men and women overseas to strengthen political parties and democratic institutions. For example, interactions between a city administrator from rural South Carolina and a mayor in Malawi can go far in breaking misconceptions about the U.S. and about the prognosis for democracy in Africa. IRI volunteers demonstrate to newly elected parliamentarians in Eastern Europe that building democratic institutions is not only a goal of U.S. government officials but that it is the desire of the American people. I hope that my colleagues and their staffers consider participating in IRI training missions as one of the best opportunities to play a critical role in implementing U.S. foreign policy.
IRI CONTINUES TO PROMOTE FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD-HON. JOE WILSON (Extensions of Remarks - April 27, 2004)
HON. JOE WILSON
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have previously expressed my support for the International Republican Institute's (IRI) outstanding work in Iraq, Eastern Europe, and Africa and want to reiterate my support as IRI celebrates its 20th anniversary. Tonight, IRI led by president George Folsom will celebrate this auspicious occasion during its 2004 Freedom Dinner at which IRI will present the Freedom Award for advancing democracy to Dr. Condeleeza Rice, the National Security Advisor, and honor the late Sergio de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who was killed in Iraq.
I also want to focus on the unique opportunities which IRI provides for Americans to share the skills they have honed on campaign trails and in the halls of Congress with their counterparts in developing democracies. Volunteers from across the U.S. augment IRI's operations in over 56 countries by conducting specialized training missions on crafting campaign finance laws, strengthening political participation among women and youth, and implementing political polling. Additionally, IRI frequently sends volunteers to serve on election observation missions. Recently, my own Chief of Staff, Eric Dell returned from an election observation mission in Macedonia where he worked with IRI professionals from across the globe.
Mr. Speaker, IRI's use of volunteers builds goodwill for the U.S. as Americans assist men and women overseas to strengthen political parties and democratic institutions. For example, interactions between a city administrator from rural South Carolina and a mayor in Malawi can go far in breaking misconceptions about the U.S. and about the prognosis for democracy in Africa. IRI volunteers demonstrate to newly elected parliamentarians in Eastern Europe that building democratic institutions is not only a goal of U.S. government officials but that it is the desire of the American people. I hope that my colleagues and their staffers consider participating in IRI training missions as one of the best opportunities to play a critical role in implementing U.S. foreign policy.