On July 21st, U.S. Congressman David Young (IA-03) stood on the floor of the House of Representatives to show his support for the Ameson Year in China (AYC) program. In his speech, which was entered into the Congressional Record, Rep. Young congratulated Mackenzie Ellis, one of his constituents, for her dedication to international education exchange.
Said Rep. Young: “I commend Mackenzie for seizing this opportunity to expand her knowledge of different cultures and explore what the world has to offer. I am proud to represent Iowans like Mackenzie in the U.S. House of Representatives. I know that my colleagues join me in congratulating her and wish her nothing but the best as she embarks on this new adventure.”
Mackenzie will travel to China this fall as an educational ambassador, where she will teach in Nanjing. When asked about her reaction to receiving Rep Young’s letter, Mackenzie exclaimed “I thought it was really cool! I showed my mom and she freaked out and showed my family and even brought it to work with her.”
Many other members of Congress have also stepped forward to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s AYCers, including Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12), Congressman Roe (TN-01), Congresswoman Mimi Walters (CA-45), Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03), Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-08), and Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11). All wrote letters praising AYC for its role in bringing the people of the United States and China closer together, while highlighting the accomplishments of their constituents.
These members of Congress lauded this year’s educational ambassadors for their leadership, commitment to service, and commitment to building mutual understanding and strengthening people-to-people relations between the United States and China.
The Ameson is honored to receive congressional support and looks forward to sending updates to the members of Congress about their constituents’ experiences in China over the next year.