Rep. Diana DeGette Co-Chair of The Congressional Study Group on Japan

Carries on leadership of bipartisan group celebrating its 20^th anniversary

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) has been named the Democratic House Co-Chair of The Congressional Study Group on Japan, a bipartisan organization dedicated to frank and candid dialogue between current American lawmakers and their peers in Japan. DeGette joins Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Mazie K. Hirono as the leadership of the 20 year old program, which is an international program of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC).

"I was actually born on the U.S. Air Force base in Tachikawa, Japan and as such have long had a deep interest as a Member of Congress in strengthening and continuing to advance the mutual alliance between our two countries," said Congresswoman DeGette. "The Study Group gives Congress an unparalleled opportunity to deepen our understanding of one another and how we can better work together to improve the future of both our nations, if not the world. I look forward to leading this work."

Rep. DeGette is both Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Caucus and a senior member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, she is the leading Democratic voice on major investigations for reviewing issues such as the solar loan guarantee program, food safety issues, the potential health and safety threats of hydraulic fracturing, and evaluating U.S. preparedness for a pandemic flu. Her other legislative priorities include environmental protections, conservation, and a woman's right to choose. Rep. Jim McDermott, a leading voice in U.S.-Japan relations for years who served as Democratic House Co-Chair since the Study Group's 10^th anniversary in 2003, will remain active as Chair Emeritus.

For thirty years, The Congressional Study Groups have provided substantive, issue-based opportunities for Members of Congress to engage with their counterparts abroad. Together with their parent organization, FMC, The Study Groups work to promote public service, strengthen representative democracy, and keep both current and former Members of Congress educated, engaged, and empowered to serve their country. Programming of The Congressional Study Group on Japan is supported by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, and the Study Group's Business Advisory Council.

SOURCE U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress