U.S. Congressmen at AUCA

February 22, 2012

An unplanned visit from three members of the US House of Representatives yielded an interesting discussion with students on 21.02.12 at AUCA. Congressmen Joe Wilson (Republican Party, South Carolina), Adrian Smith (Republican Party, New York) and Kenny Marchant (Republican Party, Texas) met with students and professors for 2 hours.  The main purpose of the representatives visit to the Kyrgyz Republic was to support the Parliament of KR in democratic processes.  During their visit they established, with the support of the President and Parliament, a Democratic Support Group that will establish a link between the two law-making bodies. 

The Congressmen took a tour around AUCA, after which students and faculty had a chance to meet them informally over tea and coffee.  Asking about their interest in the region, it was discovered that Rep. Adrian Smith is the grandson of Russian immigrants who came to the U.S. He is on the Committee on Ways and Means, which is the oldest committee in the US Congress, and is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives.  Rep. Joe Wilson is also a former trustee of the American University in Bulgaria.   

During the meeting the congressmen were introduced to the new campus project, and Peg Peoples discussed the AUCA partnership with BARD.  Students were given floor to talk about their future plans and reasons for choosing AUCA.  They were also granted a chance to ask questions to Congressmen.  Rep. Wilson suggested that students should open a KFC franchise in Bishkek, answering one student's question about business ideas for the region.  Rep. Wilson, however, did not reveal the secret recipe, suggesting that cooperation between the US and the Kyrgyz Republic has some way to go.

CASI Director Shairbek Juraev asked whether AUCA or institution like AUCA could be supported by Congress.  Rep. Adrian Smith replied that they do like “strategic” aid, and that he thinks the door is open for AUCA to be a recipient of that kind of strategic aid.   Before leaving all the Congressmen stated their positive impression of the university and its students.

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