OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Top Senate Democrats Reid & Durbin Lead Bipartisan Senate Delegation to Middle East and Other Developing Democracies

Date: March 18, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Aid


TOP SENATE DEMOCRATS REID & DURBIN LEAD BIPARTISAN SENATE DELEGATION TO MIDDLE EAST AND OTHER DEVELOPING DEMOCRACIES

Friday, March 18, 2005

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) will lead a bipartisan Senate delegation to the Middle East and several emerging democracies. The primary focus of the trip will be on security issues, and exploring ways the United States can support several developing democracies around the world.

The delegation will be leaving today and traveling next week. Due to security concerns, details of the trip will not be released in advance, but the delegation will visit Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, the Republic of Georgia, Ukraine, and other countries.

Durbin and Reid will be traveling with Senators Robert Bennett (R-UT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ken Salazar (D-CO).

"I think there is a momentum for positive change in the Middle East and in several other nations right now. The Senate needs to be fully engaged in the process today and this trip will allow us to hear from the region's top leaders about the progress being made in security and stability," said Durbin. "I am also looking forward to meeting with Illinois servicemen and women who are serving in the region."

Durbin's position as a member of the Senate Leadership comes with the responsibility and capability to lead Senate delegations on official visits with senior foreign government officials regarding political, economic, and military/security issues affecting United States bilateral and regional relationships. The trip will give the Senate delegation the ability to gain first hand knowledge of progress in the region and the challenges that still lie ahead.

Durbin will also meet with servicemen and women from Illinois who are serving in the area, as well as Foreign Service personnel, Peace Corps volunteers and other civil society representatives.

http://durbin.senate.gov/releases.cfm

arrow_upward