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Floor Speech

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Mr. ROSS. Loretta, thank you. I admire your passion and your enthusiasm for the Congress to Campus program. I have had the fortunate opportunity, of course, of doing one of those digitally with you. It was inspiring for me as well and something I hope that we continue to develop with the game plan we have.

Today, my colleague Bart Gordon and I would like to report on the Congressional Study Groups on Germany, Europe, Japan, Korea, and maybe in the future with Ireland--who knows.

In the past year, there have been critical developments on the international stage amongst America's closest allies and partners around the globe.

We witnessed the somber anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and rededicated ourselves to a robust and reliable NATO alliance and celebrated one of our closest partnerships in the Indo- Pacific with Korea's President Yoon visiting Washington on an official State visit that culminated with his rousing speech right here in this Chamber.

With consideration of these and other international developments, it is my great pleasure to highlight the work of the Congressional Study Groups on Germany, Japan, Europe and Korea, the flagship international programs of FMC.

As you know, our four Congressional Study Groups are the most active and unparalleled peer-to-peer exchange involving current Members of Congress and senior congressional staff in a highly impactful dialogue with their colleagues in legislative branches overseas.

In an ever-changing world, the year-round bipartisanship, and nonadvocacy outreach of these study groups to Capitol Hill remains the premier forum for productive, candid, and timely dialogue on the issues most relevant not only to America's leaders but to our friends and allies abroad.

One is hard pressed to find another organization that so consistently engages a diverse group of Members of Congress, the diplomatic community, administration officials, the private sector, and civil society in such critical conversations.

Each study group is proud to count over 75 Members of Congress as members, and each is led by a bipartisan, bicameral group of four co- chairs. These co-chairs exemplify the study groups' dedication to meaningful and robust education, not only serving in their role at the official study group events, but connecting with the embassies and outside organizations to speak on panels, attend roundtables, and meet with countless visiting delegations to further the goals of their respective study groups and the international relationships that they support.

In the past year, the study groups have led six tours for Members of Congress and their senior staff; engaged new Members of the 118th Congress in introductory events with our embassy partners; hosted a German delegation of parliamentarians, business leaders, and key members of German civil society on a study tour in Texas; and held dozens of roundtables between Members of Congress, chiefs of staff, the diplomatic corps here in D.C., and business advisory members on critical issues such as the war in Ukraine, the debt ceiling, the IRA, supply chain security, energy, and international security, among other topics.

This critical work, however, would not be possible without the general patronage of a dedicated group of individuals, organizations, and business advisory council members.

In particular, I recognize Dr. Satohiro Akimoto of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, Thomas Byrne of The Korea Society, Sung Won Bae of the Korea Foundation USA, Heather Conley of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Paige Cottingham-Streater of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, and Julia Friedlander of the Atlantik-Brucke for their support as key funders of the Congressional Study Groups in 2023.

We also benefit tremendously from our partners and Business Advisory Council, and I include their names for the Congressional Record. BAC partners to FMC and Congressional Study Groups

Aflac, Allianz, All Nippon Airways, BASF, Bayer, B. Braun Medical, Beam Suntory, Central Japan Railway Company, CJ America, Deutsche Telekom, DHL, Fresenius SE, Hitachi, Honda, Hyundai, Itochu, JTI, KITA, LG, Lockheed Martin, Lufthansa German Airlines, Marubeni America Corporation, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Mitsui & Co., Mizuho, NEC, Nissan, Nomura, Panasonic, Philips North America, POSCO, Representative of German Industry and Trade, Samsung, Sojitz, Subaru, Tellurian, Toyota Motor North America, UPS, and Volkswagen Group of America.

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Mr. ROSS. Since last year's report to Congress, FMC's Business Advisory Council has grown with the additions of Philips North America and LG. Our Business Advisory Council continues to benefit from the guidance and leadership of advisory board members Brad Knox of Aflac, Majida Mourad of Tellurian, Anna Schneider of Volkswagen, Mark Sobol of Longwave Partners, Jeff Werner of Panasonic, and Nancy Ziuzin Schlegel of Lockheed Martin.

Amidst economic uncertainties, supply chain difficulties, and energy and climate crises, these companies continue to be champions for effective and productive dialogue between our elected parliaments. We thank them for their support of our Congressional Study Groups.

In an increasingly tumultuous world where the bonds America shares with her allies abroad are more important than ever, I am proud to say the sustained involvement of our stakeholders and continued engagement with our international partners play a critical role in the maintenance and growth of these relationships and will continue to do so in the years ahead.

I yield to my friend and colleague, Mr. Bart Gordon of Tennessee, for further remarks.

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