Good evening everyone and thank you very much for coming tonight.

Last month marked the eighth annual International Education Week, a worldwide effort sponsored jointly by the U.S. Departments of State and Education.  The U.S.-Israel Educational Foundation works in conjunction with the U.S. Commercial Service to celebrate and advance international educational cooperation.  Together, they work to promote the critical role of education in securing a bright future for the region, a future based on international partnership and understanding.

I would also like to acknowledge the assistance provided by our partner Nirshamim in organizing tonight’s dinner and other events encouraging Israeli students to spend a portion of their academic careers in the U.S.  They are launching a new “Study USA Educational Portal” on their website to provide information to Israeli students wishing to study in the U.S.  As with all Nirshamim’s previous efforts bringing information on education and academic exchanges to the Israeli people, I am sure this venture will be a success.

During 2005-2006, there were close to 3,500 Israeli students studying in the United States.  With your help, we hope to double that number in the coming years.

The U.S. Government places great importance on international student exchanges.  I am proud to say that last year marked the seventh year in a row that America has welcomed more than half a million international students to its colleges and universities.  While each student makes a personal choice to spend part of his or her studies in the U.S., when taken collectively, the impact is an invaluable part of our effort to promote American values around the world.

It’s with good cause that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said:  “Our country has no more valuable asset internationally than the friendship of the millions of young people, citizens, and leaders around the world who understand the United States because they have studied here.”

Of course, the U.S. also benefits from foreign students who enrich our campuses by bringing their diverse experiences and backgrounds with them. 

Although some of those who come to the U.S. to study remain in our country, most foreign students bring what they learn in the U.S. back to their home countries.  More than 60 percent of Israeli university faculty have either received a degree from or have taught at an American institution of higher learning.

Many foreign students who return to their home countries eventually go on to lead their nations.  We are very proud that over the years more than 200 alumni of State Department-sponsored international exchange programs have become heads of state.   PA Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad is a PhD graduate of the University of Texas, Austin.  Prime Minister Olmert’s Chief of Staff, Yoram Turbowicz, studied at Harvard, courtesy of the State Department’s Fulbright program. 

We must all work together to increase the strong bonds between America and Israel.  Everyone in this room has a significant impact on furthering this important strategic and cultural relationship.  With your help, we will continue to build on these solid foundations.  Thank you for your support and enjoy the evening.