Congressional Resolutions:  Extended Opportunity to Confirm Co-sponsors

The deadline for confirming co-sponsors for the NCIV 50th Anniversary Congressional Resolutions has been extended into August, giving the network an irreplaceable opportunity to build and recognize relationships with key elected officials.  Senate Republican co-sponsors and Foreign Affairs Committee Members remain the most vital priorities for co-sponsorship, though co-sponsors from both parties and in both chambers are also very welcome—the goal is to showcase (and build) the nation-wide, bi-partisan support for the network.

If you have not already done so, please invite your Senators and Representatives to sign on now by emailing an invitation (based on our template letter), the Resolution, the dear colleague letter, and a list of current co-sponsors to your Congressional contacts.

Template Letter to Invite Congressional Resolution Co-Sponsors

Confirmed Co-Sponsors for NCIV's 50th Anniversary Congressional Resolutions (Updated 8-09-2010)

UPDATED:  S. Res. 603 - Senate Resolution Commemorating NCIV's 50th Anniversary

Senate Resolution:  Dear Colleague Letter

UPDATED:  HR 1402 - House Resolution Recognizing NCIV's 50th Anniversary

If you - or a colleague in your State - have made invitations, please follow-up or ask a member of your Board to follow-up with your contacts to encourage their Member of Congress to confirm as a co-sponsor.  Every additional co-sponsor benefits your organization and the entire network.

Thank you for helping make this major 50th Anniversary initiative a success!  Please contact Chris Bassett with questions, suggestions, or updates regarding advocacy and the Resolutions at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 202-842-1414, or 800-523-8101.

ACTION ALERT: FY 2011 Congressional Appropriations for International Exchange

The Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange has issued a time-sensitive Action Alert about Congressional appropriations.  If your Members of Congress are open to supporting exchanges funding, please take five minutes to use this link and show your local support for the IVLP.   A template letter emphasizing the IVLP, which you and your colleagues can copy and paste into the Alliance’s convenient CapWiz messaging system, is available for download below:
Appropriations Alert Template Letter (6-29-10)

Background
For FY 2011, the President has requested $633.2 million for the Department of State’s Educational and Cultural Exchanges, which is identical to his FY 2010 request (a significant increase from previous Presidential recommendations) and a slight decrease from the $635 million that Congress appropriated for exchanges in FY 2010.  The House Appropriations Subcommittee for State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs has recommended maintaining funding at the FY 2010 level—$635 million.   The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee will make their recommendations in the near future.  

Please ask your Senators and Members of Congress to support $675 million for State Department exchange programs in FY 2011, including $101 million for the International Visitor Leadership Program—the flagship professional exchange program that has connected countless Americans with 190,000 foreign leaders (including 286 current or former heads of state)  during the past 70 years.  This modest increase (6.3%) that NCIV and the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange is requesting for these highly cost-effective programs is designed to keep pace with economic developments and enhance impact in frontline states and key issue areas.  For more information and a valuable advocacy resource, download the latest NCIV Talking Points:
NCIV Talking Points (8-02-10)