March 23, 2005: Headlines: Congress: US Fed News: Senator Norm Coleman holds hearings on the bonds between Minnesotans and Latin Americans which form as a result of the Peace Corps, international adoptions, and other programs
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March 23, 2005: Headlines: Congress: US Fed News: Senator Norm Coleman holds hearings on the bonds between Minnesotans and Latin Americans which form as a result of the Peace Corps, international adoptions, and other programs
Senator Norm Coleman holds hearings on the bonds between Minnesotans and Latin Americans which form as a result of the Peace Corps, international adoptions, and other programs
Senator Norm Coleman holds hearings on the bonds between Minnesotans and Latin Americans which form as a result of the Peace Corps, international adoptions, and other programs
SENATOR COLEMAN HOLDS FIELD HEARING ON MINNESOTA TIES TO LATIN AMERICA AT HUMPHREY INSTITUTE
Chair of Foreign Relations Western Hemisphere Subcommittee hears testimony of experts from Minnesota, Washington to help set agenda for 2005-2006
[Excerpt]
March 23rd, 2005 - ST. PAUL, MN - Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs, convened a field hearing on Monday, March 21st to discuss U.S.-Latin America relations at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
The topic of this hearing, titled “U.S.-Latin America Relations: A View from the Land of 10,000 Lakes,” addressed the many areas of mutual interest between Minnesota and Latin America, including democratic security, people-to-people relations, and the growing economic developments within the Western Hemisphere. Currently, U.S. trade in the region stands at 38 percent of the total business the U.S. conducts in the world, and Canada, Mexico, and the rest of Latin America serve as important export destinations for Minnesota as our first, seventh and eleventh customers in the world.
During testimony panelists discussed common interests in supporting democracy, international cooperation against the threats of drug traffickers and gang members, opportunities and challenges in the realm of international trade, and the bonds between Minnesotans and Latin Americans which form as a result of the Peace Corps, international adoptions, and other programs.
“I was pleased to have this Subcommittee hearing here in Minnesota,” said Coleman. “As Minnesota’s Senator, I want to use my chairmanship of this Subcommittee to work on issues that not only matter to America’s national and economic security, but also to affect lives here in Minnesota. This hearing was a good step in that direction as it helps to create and maintain and a dialogue with our neighbors on some important issues, such as human rights, economic development and trade, and the development of very personal relations through the Peace Corps and international adoptions.”
This field hearing will begin a series of official trips to Latin America and hearings Sen. Coleman has scheduled as part of an ambitious two-year agenda as Chairman of the Subcommittee.
“I am pleased at the progress we made during this hearing and I intend on taking the concerns that were addressed with me on my visits to Latin America” added Coleman. “Latin America has made great strides toward democracy and free markets – progress unimaginable just a few decades ago. But at the same time, this progress is fragile and needs our support.”
“I was also moved by the great testimony from Minnesotans representing our person-to-person efforts across the globe, and particularly in Latin America,” continued Coleman. “Minnesotans are generous, whether they volunteer for the Peace Corps, or they become families to orphans from countries such as Haiti and Guatemala, or volunteer medical expertise and time. Yesterday, it hit home yesterday what a great tool our humanitarian efforts have been in order to show other countries what America is all about.”
When this story was posted in March 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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| RPCVs in Congress ask colleagues to support PC RPCVs Sam Farr, Chris Shays, Thomas Petri, James Walsh, and Mike Honda have asked their colleagues in Congress to add their names to a letter they have written to the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee, asking for full funding of $345 M for the Peace Corps in 2006. As a follow-on to Peace Corps week, please read the letter and call your Representative in Congress and ask him or her to add their name to the letter. |
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Story Source: US Fed News
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