Washington, DC— On Tuesday, October 9, the U.S. House of Representatives approved  H.R. 2553, the “Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2007.”

H.R. 2553, introduced by Watson, amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, which provides for the establishment of new and the maintenance of existing libraries and resource centers at or in connection with U.S. diplomatic and consular missions around the world.  The legislation calls on the State Department’s Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy to ensure that libraries and resource centers are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable.

I am proud to be the author of HR 2553, the Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2007,” remarked Congresswoman Watson.  “This bill is designed to provide our diplomats abroad with additional tools to show the world the best of American society.

“In the 110th Congress, the Committee on Foreign Affairs is working to help redeem the status and prestige that the United States has lost around the world in recent years.

 “While U.S. foreign policy clearly is a key factor in how we are viewed abroad, other factors are also critical to how the U.S. is viewed around the world.  An important part of regaining our rightful leadership role is to find more effective ways to let the world know who was are as Americans and what we stand for.

“One of the most effective elements of American public diplomacy is the array of libraries and information resource centers around the globe.  The facilities, run by our State Department, provide average individuals in foreign countries the ability to freely access information about the United States, about their own societies, and about sciences and the arts.  For years, these resources have been a testament to the principle that the greatest tool we have against tyranny is the truth.

“But as we face this moment of tighter budgets, I am afraid that our Public Diplomacy Libraries and Resource Centers are not getting the support they need.  That is why I have introduced this bill.  My bill would not seek to disrupt the efforts that the State Department has underway to organize and run its resource centers.  Rather, it would seek to put these efforts on a more stable footing, by creating a clear funding stream for State Department Libraries and Resource Centers abroad.

“Furthermore, the bill would establish the “Johnny Grant Film Series” as part of the State Department’s Public Diplomacy efforts.  Johnny Grant is a legendary friend of American entertainment and is known as the “Mayor of Hollywood” for his continued efforts on behalf of the American entertainment industries.  He is also an ardent proponent of the power of American film to convey the universal values of freedom and opportunity to others around the world.  The Johnny Grant Film Series would provide the United States Government with the opportunity to show the world the optimism and promise of America as portrayed in our classic films.”