Russian Leaders Discover America AFPC Coordinates Congressional Part of Library of Congress Program
Sponsored by American Foreign Policy Council & Library of Congress October 1, 1999
The Library of Congress’ Russian Leadership Program (RLP) got off with a bang in the summer of 1999 when over 2,000 Russian officials visited the U.S. AFPC coordinated the congressional part of the program, co-chaired by Rep. Roger Wicker (R-MS-1) and Rep. Bud Cramer (D-AL-5). Delegations were hosted by 32 members of Congress.
Seeing for themselves
According to Dr. James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress and a Russian scholar, bringing such large numbers of Russians is a way of “jumpstarting the learning process on the functioning of an open and accountable society.” A vast majority of the participants had no direct experience with the United States and the RLP gave them a chance to get beyond press and TV images and discover America for themselves.
Dr. Billington envisioned the program as a parallel to the exchanges under the Marshall Program after World War II. He noted that these exchanges “allowed a whole new generation of Germans not just to see for themselves how a free society works, but to adapt our experience to their situation.”
Summing up the 1999 RLP, AFPC President Herman Pirchner, Jr. noted that “this program has changed, and will continue to change, existing attitudes as people get more balanced information. And the result will be better policy in both countries.”
A Slice of American Life
Between August 12th and September 26th, 1999, 335 Russian officials – including 35 Duma members and regional and city officials from 62 of Russia’s 89 regions – fanned out across America tot heir host Congressional districts.
Each program totaled 10 days – nine in the congressional district and one in Washington – and focused on the political, economic and cultural aspects of American life.
Groups met with officials and agencies including tax and budget personnel, local and state elected officials, law enforcement officers, and congressional staff, as well as a wide spectrum of non-governmental agencies.
Two delegations even experienced emergency management situations, when they had to be evacuated out of the path of hurricane Floyd.
On the economic level, participants paid site visits to corporations and small businesses ranging from the QVC shopping channel to a mushroom farm.
The participants also got exposed to the U.S. educational system by visiting American high schools, junior college, and universities.
After hours, the participants got to experience the vast array of American cultural and recreational activities from classical music to baseball.
The program is expected to continue for the next several years. As for its long-term impact, Pirchner says “It will take years, perhaps decades, to fully appreciate the impact. After a few years, we will reach a critical mass of Russian officials who have visited the United States under the RLP and the internal Russian debate will be built on a more factual understanding of America.