Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $16.7 Million for East-West Center
Schatz Worked With Colleagues on Appropriations Committee to Maintain Funding for the Center
WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $16.7 million in federal funding for the East-West Center. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Appropriations Committee, worked to maintain federal funding levels for the East-West Center, which directly supports the U.S. rebalance to the Asia Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue with countries in the region.
“As we work through the appropriations process this year, Hawai‘i continues to do well,” said Senator Schatz. “The East-West Center has been key to building personal relationships in a region where they are essential to getting things done. These federal funds are an investment that will help us deepen our relationships, strengthen our national security, improve regional cooperation, and ensure Hawai‘i continues to play a major role in the rebalance to the Asia Pacific.”
The president requested just $10.8 million for the East-West Center in his budget for FY 2017. As a member of the committee, Senator Schatz worked with his colleagues to keep funding levels at $16.7 million.
Established by Congress in 1960, the East-West Center supports and enhances diplomatic relations between the United States and the Asia Pacific region through educational programming, collaborative research opportunities, and cultural and technical exchange. Its model of cooperative study, research, and dialogue has supported over 62,000 alumni who have gone on to promote the Center’s mission with distinguished careers in government, academia, and business. Notable alumni include Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, anthropologist Dr. Ann Dunham Soetoro, and several foreign heads of government and policymakers.
