FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HUIZENGA JOINS CONGRESSIONAL STUDY GROUP ON EUROPE AS HOUSE REPUBLICAN CO-CHAIR
Washington, DC — Today, the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) is pleased to announce that U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga (R-MI) will join FMC’s Congressional Study Group on Europe (CSGE) as the House Republican Co-Chair. Huizenga will help lead the group alongside U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT), as well as their Senate counterparts, John Boozman (R-AR) and Chris Murphy (D-CT).
“The longstanding alliances and partnerships we have enjoyed with our European friends remain the bedrock of American foreign policy. The United States and Europe share the same set of values, one shaped by our deep respect and appreciation for personal and economic freedom, for the rule of law, and for democracy,” said Rep. Bill Huizenga. “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Study Group on Europe, I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with Congressman Peter Welch and our Membership to strengthen transatlantic ties and to create an open dialogue on the issues that matter most to us in order to preserve our shared peace and mutual prosperity going forward.”
“I look forward to working closely with Rep. Huizenga, who has demonstrated a commitment to real, open dialogue and bipartisanship. Together, we can create opportunities for Members of Congress to engage in discourse – both across the Atlantic and across the aisle. I’m glad to have Rep. Huizenga as a partner as we work to strengthen this vital platform for education and exchange,” said Rep. Peter Welch.
“On behalf of FMC, I welcome and am looking forward to Congressman Huizenga’s leadership as Co-Chair of the Congressional Study Group on Europe. His expertise in financial markets and other economic issues, as well as the strong European-American connection in his Congressional District will help strengthen CSGE’s relationships with many political and business leaders from our European partner nations,” said the Honorable Charles Boustany, FMC President.
Huizenga, who has represented Michigan’s Second Congressional District since 2011, is a longtime leader on the House Financial Services Committee and a key voice on transatlantic economic ties. His Western Michigan District includes the heavily Dutch-American Muskegon, Holland, and Grand Haven. Huizenga is a Second District native, who previously served as a legislative aide to his predecessor, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, and continues to co-own and run his family business there.
The Congressional Study Group on Europe was launched in 2012 as a forum for current U.S. congressional and foreign leaders to candidly discuss the vital issues of the day, to strengthen transatlantic relationships, and allow leaders to develop deeper understandings of our allies abroad.
To achieve these goals, CSGE organizes Congressional Study Tours to a number of European countries, for Members of Congress and senior congressional staff to meet their legislative counterparts. Additionally, CSGE convenes regular roundtable discussions on Capitol Hill with diplomatic officials, key business leaders, and decisionmakers from civil society.
The Study Group is integrally linked to FMC’s Diplomatic Advisory Council and provides for an ongoing dialogue between the approximately 40 current members of Congress in the group and leaders of numerous European countries like Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Sweden, and Denmark, as well as the European Union.
The CSGE House Republican Co-Chair position was previously held by U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE).
Boustany continued, “I’d also like to thank Congressman Jeff Fortenberry for his many years of service to the Congressional Study Group on Europe and his support of FMC.”
FMC is a non-advocacy, nonpartisan group founded in 1970 and chartered by Congress in 1983. It is a voluntary alliance of Former U.S. Senators and Representatives, working to strengthen Congress in the conduct of its Constitutional responsibility through promoting a collaborative approach to policy making; and to deepening the understanding of our democratic system.
###