At the press conference this morning, Representative McCollum said:
"Every community in America, every congressional district is strengthened by the work of non-profit organizations. Government and all of us rely on the non-profit sector to implement and support public policies; however, as powerful and productive as the non-profit organizations are, their needs are not being addressed by congress or the Administration and that must change."
Representative McCollum, previously sat on the House State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds State Department exchange programs. She is a strong supporter of exchanges and the Fulbright program, which I had the honor of being a part of in Berlin, Germany during the 07-08 academic year. One of the few representatives who was outspoken this year when Obama axed $250,000 from the Fullbright Program, she was also one of the only representatives to correspond with us Fulbrighters while we were abroad. In a short but sweet message to us, she wrote, "I am very proud of the work you do to make a difference in the lives of others." Its amazing how a simple moment of recognition reminds one of the part they play in this complex and interwoven world. I certainly took my responsibilities as a "cultural ambassador" more seriously. I also have followed McCollum ever since and very grateful to have her in the House. From all of us at There is No Spoon: "Keep up the good work!"
