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Congressman Curt Weldon's Office (   U.S.A.)
Posted on August 1, 1999

By   Pete Peterson

Photo: RLP delegates observe safety first as they prepare to tour the Alcoa aluminium plant in Lancaster, PA.

WASHINGTON, DC -- A delegation of Russian political leaders hosted by Congressman Curt Weldon arrived in the Philadelphia region today for a nine-day visit to the United States. The Russian delegation -- which includes regional elected officials, regional administrators, and a member of the Russian Duma -- will learn about the United States system of local, state, and federal government and will receive a diverse sampling of the daily life of average Pennsylvanians.

"These Russians are here in our region to learn about how our government works and how Americans live," said Congressman Curt Weldon, who serves as Chairman of the U.S. Congress-Russian Duma Study Group and is widely recognized as the leading expert on Russia in Congress. "Exchanges like this provide the opportunity for improved relations between our two countries as we gain a better understanding about each other's culture, political system, and outlook on life."

The Russian delegation's trip to the region will include visits to Boeing Helicopters; Delaware County Council and the Courthouse; Valley Forge Military Academy; Longwood Gardens; United Way; Crozer Chester Medical Center; Healthplex; Springfield Township's Municipal Building; Penn Terminals; West Chester University; Penncrest High School; Elwyn Institute; Sugartown Elementary School in Malvern; a performance of West Side Story at the Media Theater; Wildwood, NJ; Delco Community Action Agency; Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union; Genuardi's Supermarket; Modern Mushroom in Kennett Square; the Ar-Joy Dairy Farm in Avondale; Philadelphia Museum of Art; a performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra; the Delaware County Daily Times; and KYW-TV and Radio Newsrooms.

Congressman Weldon is hosting the group as part of the Library of Congress' Open World Russian Leadership Program. Congress established the program -- approving $10 million in funding -- in May 1999 due to a sharp deterioration in U.S.-Russian relations following the Kosovo conflict. An estimated 2,000 Russians will visit the United States between July 28 and September 30 as part of the Open World program.

"These visits are an attempt to help repair some of the damage that has been done to relations between our two countries in recent years," said Weldon. "Hopefully, the Russians will gain a new understanding of America, and those Pennsylvanians who interact with the delegation will have new appreciation for the Russian people."

A complete itinerary of the Russian delegation's visit is available by contacting Pete Peterson with Congressman Curt Weldon at (202)225-2011.

[Permission granted by Congressman Curt Weldon's Office ]

[Reprinted with Permission]