CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF AU PAIR IN AMERICA

CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF AU PAIR IN AMERICA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 51 (Friday, March 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 51 (Friday, March 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E248-E249] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF AU PAIR IN AMERICA _____ HON. JAMES A. HIMES of connecticut in the house of representatives Friday, March 20, 2026 Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 40th anniversary of Au Pair in America (APIA), a program of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS). A pioneering cultural exchange program, it has strengthened families, expanded educational opportunity, and advanced people-to-people diplomacy between the United States and nations around the world. APIA is the longest serving au pair program in the United States, officially recognized in 1986. For four decades, the program has connected young people from abroad with American host families in a spirit of mutual learning and cultural understanding. The au pair program was made permanent when it was signed into law in 1997, reflecting its value to American families and its importance as a cultural exchange initiative. APIA offers a flexible, dependable, and enriching childcare solution for American families. Au pairs become full-fledged family members, sharing a cultural exchange experience [[Page E249]] that often leads to a life-long relationship with their host family. The program now spans more than 50 countries across six continents. Over the past 40 years, APIA has supported over 130,000 au pairs and host families. The program plays a meaningful role in advancing U.S. public diplomacy by fostering cross-cultural understanding, global citizenship, and enduring personal ties between Americans and people around the world. This milestone anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the program's lasting contributions to cultural exchange, the families who have welcomed participants into their homes, and the au pairs whose experiences in the United States have shaped lives, careers, and international friendships. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating APIA on its 40th anniversary and in acknowledging its continued role in strengthening cultural exchange and mutual understanding across borders.