ACTR Event for U.S."Olympiada" Gold Medalists of Spoken Russian

The achievement of the Olympiada gold medalists is particularly important this year, as we are marking the 200^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Russia. For two centuries, Russia and the United States have shared a rich diplomatic relationship, but perhaps even more important than the diplomatic connections are our people-to-people connections, which have endured through our history as friends, allies, and competitors. Strong personal exchanges between our two countries have allowed us to weather the storm of political differences and disagreements which have sometimes marked the U.S.-Russia relationship.

Being able to communicate is, of course, one of the most important aspects of personal contact between our two peoples. Learning each other's language - and culture - is one of the greatest contributions we can make to understanding each other. Students of Russian language and culture have risen to the highest levels of the American government: Secretary of State Rice, of course, is one outstanding example. And I would also like to note that we have several medalists who have gone on to work here at the State Department in the Office of Russian Affairs.

Students of Russian culture and language like those being honored today will surely help build the future of relations between Russia and the United States, whether, like Secretary Rice, it is through public service, or through private contacts and experiences in whatever careers they ultimately decide to pursue.

The "Olympiada" gold medalists here today represent the "best of the best" of Russian language speakers at American high schools. All of you went through rigorous competition to get here, and I know personally how challenging Russian language can be. On behalf of the State Department, I want to offer you congratulations on your impressive achievement. POZDRAVLYAOO VAS!! YA TOZHE ZNAYU KAK TRUDNO ETOT YAZYK DLYA AMERIKANTZOV [trans.: "I congratulate you!! I also know how difficult this language is for Americans."].

But I think the challenge of learning Russian is well worth it, because the reward is the satisfaction and pleasure of mastering a vibrant language, and understanding a complex and dynamic culture. On January 5, 2006, President Bush launched the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) to further strengthen national security and prosperity in the 21st century through strategic language learning. Russian was selected as one of five critical languages in this program, which aims to dramatically increase the number of Americans learning languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Farsi and others through new and expanded programs from kindergarten through university and into the workforce.

The NSLI initiative is a government program that we hope will emphasize the importance of the Russian language to American political, educational, and cultural initiatives and interests. The program's initiatives are providing new opportunities for American high school students, teachers, undergraduates and graduate students to study critical need languages abroad and are strengthening foreign language teaching in the U.S. through exchanges and professional development. I strongly encourage you to apply and engage in the NSLI programs.

As you probably know, President Bush will meet with President Putin July 1-2 in Kennebunkport, Maine. I note we might be able to use the Olympiad winners' Russian language skills this upcoming weekend. Would anyone like to go to Kennebunkport this weekend?

This meeting between the two Presidents will be an opportunity for both leaders to discuss both areas of cooperation and areas of disagreement between our two countries. But above all, it will highlight the important relationship we have with Russia, one which has endured for two centuries and will continue for years to come, and one which I am sure you Olympiada medalists will all contribute to in one way or another. In fact, I think that through your mastery of Russian you have already begun to contribute to the U.S.-Russia relationship. Congratulations again on your impressive achievement.