Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011

Floor Speech

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Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment of the gentleman from Texas.

This amendment proposes to cut all funding for the East-West Center--a shortsighted and impulsive measure that takes away from a program that has done so much on behalf of our Nation.

Due to its strategic location half way between the continental U.S. and Asia, the East-West Center has served as an unparalleled resource; a bridge between the United States and our allies in the Pacific.

For more than 50 years, it has been working to further diplomatic efforts between China, Japan, and other Asian countries through collaborations on education and research.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, let us not forget that one of America's biggest opportunities will be culminating later this year with the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting. The East-West Center will serve as the anchor to this meeting.

For the first time since 1993, the United States will be hosting leaders of 20 other member economies. At this event, our Nation is poised to showcase our best and brightest, illustrating President Obama's goal to out-innovate, out-build, and out-educate our competitors. This is our chance to show the world what Americans are capable of.

I believe that there is no better place in America for this than the East-West Center. However, if we decide to eliminate this center for collaboration between the U.S and Asia, if we take away the mere $10 million that they require; we are sending a message that rejects our diplomatic relationships with Asia, rejects our strides in innovation, and rejects our ability to be capable hosts at one of the most important meetings of the next 10 years.

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