FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September
14, 2004
State Representative
Faye Culp Returns Home from Middle East
WASHINGTON, DC
-- Praising the role of the American military in the Middle East
while complimenting the work of the United
States’ Department of State, Representative Faye Culp of Tampa gave
high marks to the strength of the United
States’ 100-year friendship with Bahrain.
Representative
Culp, as incoming President of the National Order of Women Legislators
and
incoming Chairman of the National Foundation of Women Legislators, led
the
special fact-finding mission sponsored by the National Foundation. The group of sixteen women from ten different
states went to the Middle Eastern Kingdom, located off the coast of Saudia Arabia, to observe the
results of
reforms that the government is implementing to move the country forward.
According
to
Rep. Culp, who met with the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, the
Ministers of
Finance, Justice and Health and others, top government officials are
optimistic
and positive about their accomplishments.
“There is an air of expectancy in the country, and a
determination to
make their nation into a gateway to and from the Middle-East and the
West,” she
said. “Women were given the right to
vote in 2001 and are now making preparations to run for office. I want to see that happen and have made a
promise to lead another delegation during the next year to offer a
series of
training sessions on the techniques of campaigning there in Bahrain.” Girls are going to school and women have
acquired a few positions of influence and power in the government and
society
at large. Noting this, Representative
Culp said that she believes that the conditions for a major
breakthrough in
living standards and education in much of the Middle East
may be possible. Bahrain
is leading the way. The country is also
focusing on becoming the Banking and Finance
Center for the Middle
East and is working toward convincing its citizens of the
advantages of international cooperation, citing the friendship between
our two
countries for over a century.
Coming
home on
the third anniversary of the September
11, 2001 tragedy, Rep. Culp said that she is confident that America
is on the right track to combat terrorism, giving major credit to the
members of
the United States Armed Forces and their families.
Rep.
Culp told
of the dedication of the American military to work constructively with
other
countries in the Middle East to stop the spread
of
terrorism. After a special briefing with
the base leadership, her delegation met with various troops stationed
at the
naval air base there and found them focused on their mission and
determined to
obtain victory. “These soldiers bring
great honor to our nation,” she said, after visiting with a young
Floridian
from Tampa who is
stationed
there. “But make no mistake, we are at
war! The War on Terrorism is very
real! I am pleased that Bahrain
is a partner with us in defeating the terrorists and in developing a
special
trade and cultural relationship with us.”
About
the National Foundation For Women
Legislators, Inc.
(NFWL)
Through
annual
educational and networking events, the National Foundation for Women
Legislators
supports women legislators from all levels of governance.
As a non-profit, non-partisan organization,
NFWL does not take ideological positions on public policy issues, but
rather
serves as a forum for women legislators to be empowered through
information and
experience.
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