STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE A. SYDNEY HERLONG, JR., A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I have been invited as a member of the Florida delegation to speak in behalf of the legislation you are now considering.

Even if I were not a member of the Florida delegation and represented another State, I would have asked for the privilege of addressing this committee. Why? Because like 227 other Representatives and 51 Senators representing all 50 States, I signed a petition to President Johnson requesting his support for a $22 million Community Facilities Administration loan for the construction of Latin American pavilions and a Federal building to house their exhibits at Interama-the first permanent international living exposition.

If I did not speak on behalf of this legislation I would feel remiss in representing my country's best interests as well as my own State and congressional district. I am not alone in this broad viewpoint, because the Inter-American Cultural and Trade Center has received the support of three Presidents, a previous Congress, and the endorsement of the American Municipal Association representing the officials of 13,000 cities and communities in the United States and the National Association of Counties representing 30,000 county officials. In the inter-American sphere the project has earned the support of the Organization of American States, the Chamber of Commerce of the Americas, and the Inter-American Council of Commerce and Production, the latter two organizations representing the business leaders of Central and South America.

Probably no exposition has been so thoroughly planned and developed before a request was made for the Government to participate with an exhibit in a U.S pavilion, built at the expense of exposition authorities.

It seems inconceivable to me that in light of the support and approval by our highest elected officials and the majority of the Congress-for a Communtiy Facilities Administration loan-that we would deny participation with a significant and high quality Federal exhibit in the U.S., pavilion.

STATEMENT OF HON. PAUL G. ROGERS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity to appear before this distinguished committee in support of the Interama project.

Floridians have come to know the problems and aspirations, hopes and dreams, and the realities of life in Latin America better perhaps than any other section of our country.

Miami is the gateway to the south, and the entrance for the stream of commerce and industry between our sister Republics and the United States. It has also seen the stream of refugees fleeing from Castro's communism.

Because of this long and close association, Florida has supported the Interama project with more unanimity than could reasonably be expected of any undertaking. The local governmental units, State government under several administrations, and the entire congressional delegation have seen the great benefits which will come from such a center. It will open up further U.S. trade, better our relations with our friends to the south, and give clear indication to Castro and other would-be Communist dictators that it is our intention to compete through trade and commerce. Not only will such increased trade help our own balance of payments, but it will better the living and economic status of each of the countries of Latin America.

Mr. Chairman, we need Interama now, as a further indication that American free enterprise can and will meet the needs of these people. This showcase will enable these countries to send their business and civic leaders to a centrally located city, Miami, and see what is available to them. This showcase is truly in keeping with our good neighbor policy.

STATEMENT OF HON. D. R. (BILLY) MATTHEWS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. Chairman, I welcome the opportunity to present this brief testimony to you today on behalf of legislation now being considered by your distinguished

committee to provide for the participation of the United States in the InterAmerican Cultural and Trade Center in Dade County, Fla.

My bill, H.R. 7959, is identical to legislation introduced by my able colleagues from the great Dade County area, the Honorable Claude Pepper, and the Honorable Dante B. Fascell. I am pleased to join in an all-Florida effort in support of this outstanding project.

I look on this legislation as a very timely step in the effort to meet what well may be the most serious problem confronting our Western Hemisphere todaythe worldwide Communist threat. Interama, with its theme of "Progress Under Freedom," will provide the first permanent inter-American exposition and will be a showcase for the achievements made in our hemisphere within the framework of democratic institutions.

If our Nation and our democratic institutions are to survive, we must, as President Kennedy expressed in his Alliance for Progress statement in August of 1961, show "an example to all the world that liberty and progress walk hand in hand." Interama is such an example.

I hope that our Government, by passing this legislation, can work hand in hand for the goals of Interama.

I am sure the committee will receive ample testimony regarding the advancements of Interama thus far, the sound planning which is underway, and indications as to the support and enthusiasm of our State government and our congressional delegation. It is my earnest hope that your committee and the Congress can look with favor upon this legislation in order that the United States can participate to the fullest so that this worthwhile project may achieve its fullest potential.

I thank you.

STATEMENT OF HON. WILLIAM C. CRAMER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. Chairman, I join my colleagues from Florida today to again voice my support for Interama and for my legislation requesting Federal participation therein (H.R. 8379).

I will leave the detailed explanations of Interama to the representatives of Interama present here today. I would, however, like to point out my belief that this permanent international exposition will reflect favorably, not only on my State of Florida, but on the entire country in its relations with the rest of the world. For, Interama will be the world's first permanent living exposition and as such will be a showcase to which the entire Nation can look to with pride.

Out of the estimated $500 million this project will cost, Interama seeks no more than $11 million for the Federal exhibit. It should be emphasized that this is not a loan or a grant or a gift of any sort. It is an investment by the Federal Government in a Federal exhibit that will attract an estimated 75 million visitors in the first 5 years. Thousands will be visiting Interama from countries throughout the world and it is here that the United States, in its exhibit, can proudly display the American way of life to the rest of the world. In view of the fact that $17 million was authorized for the New York World's Fair, the $11 million for Interama-when you consider its permanency—is not unreasonable. Nor is it unreasonable when one considers the laudable purpose of Interama; namely, the development of improved relations and increased trade with the republics of Latin America, and indeed the rest of the free world.

The theme of Interama is, appropriately, "Progress With Freedom." As such, Interama will stand as a living monument to the great American way of life. The Federal exhibit is an integral part of this imaginative program and I am hopeful that this committee, after hearing all of the testimony on Interama, will approve this legislation.

STATEMENT OF HON. SAM M. GIBBONS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am pleased to submit a statement in behalf of legislation calling for the participation of the United States in the Inter-American Cultural and Trade Center in Dade County, Fla.

Along with other members of the Florida delegation, I introduced legislation (H.R. 8284) providing for this participation, and urge its favorable enactment. Although special emphasis will be given to exhibits and pavilions of the Western

Hemisphere nations, Interama will be worldwide in scope. The establishment of Interama will provide a continuous exchange of cultures, ideas, and people, and it will provide the authorization for a permanent international exposition to serve as a common meeting ground of the Americas to portray the American way of life-progress with freedom. I urge that the committee report out this legislation favorably.

Mr. PEPPER. Mr. Fuqua said if he could not get here personally he would try to send a statement around. There will be one for the record. Mr. Haley has assured us previously of his strong support of this proposal.

Mr. FASCELL. Without objection, the statement referred to will be received for the record.

(The statement of Mr. Fuqua follows:)

STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE DON FUQUA, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate very much the opportunity to present a statement supporting my bill, H.R. 2204, and similar bills, providing for the participation of the United States in Interama, the first permanent international exposition.

The nations of the Americas have enjoyed great progress in many respects and in practically all of the nations our ways of life are envied by more unfortunate ones throughout the world. As the language of the bill reads, this legislation will "establish a permanent international exposition to serve as a common meeting ground of the Americas to portray the American way of life-progress with freedom." Perhaps here others will be able to see that progress of the people, as a whole, is in a sense the fruit of the freedom of those people. Through Interama it is our hope that the world will see how through our democratic forms of government have achieved all that is ours without sacrificing our civil liberties and individual freedoms. Furthermore, it is hoped through this Center there will be an exchange of ideas, cultures and people, which will aid us in progressing even further and with a greater bond between us than has been before.

Even though there will be emphasis on the Western Hemisphere nations, Interama's intention to be worldwide in scope and truly international will contribute toward strengthening the ties of our American nations with other nations of the free world. Such benefits can be derived through the developments and achievements of a fine program of educational, social, economic, and cultural interests of the nations.

The concept of this whole program is one of considerable merit and one which deserves much attention. Every possible consideration you can give to this legislation and the participation of our great Nation will mean much to the American people, North and South, and their understanding of one another.

Mr. PEPPER. Mr. Chairman, I ask to introduce into the record a splendid letter which has come to the able chairman, the Honorable Dante Fascell from our eminent Governor of Florida, the Honorable Haydon Burns, who has been a very vigorous and effective and warmhearted advocate of Interama. I will ask that the Governor's letter first appear in the record, Mr. Chairman, ahead of all the other statements. (See p. 15.)

Mr. FASCELL. Without objection, the Governor's letter will appear in the record preceding the other statements.

Mr. PEPPER. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a little statement at the conclusion but I want your able committee to hear the witnesses who are here that can tell you so much about the facts that pertain to this great project.

To make his own statement, first, giving you a comprehensive view of Interama and then to present other witnesses of eminence and distinction, particularly qualified to speak in behalf of Interama, I would like to introduce a man whom I have somewhat facetiously but very sincerely called the George Washington of Interama. I said you

could put it another way and call George Washington the Irving Muskat of the American Revolution. Without George Washington, I do not think we would ever have had a successful revolution and without Dr. Irving Muskat I am sure we never would have had this great Interama project up to the very gate of success, as I feel that we have it today.

A distinguished chemist, an eminent teacher, taught at the University of Chicago where he received his doctor's degree, he is a man who has achieved great eminence in the scholars' world as well as in the financial world, and was at one time the vice president of the University of Miami. He has given of his heart, as my distinguished colleague Mr. Fascell knows, and almost all of his time utterly without compensation for many years to leading and directing and guiding this Interama project because he thought it meant so much to our hemisphere and to freedom in the world.

I am pleased to present the Honorable Irving Muskat, chairman of the Interama Authority, who was appointed, of course, by the Governor as all the members of the authority are. He is an esteemed citizen of our State and country.

Dr. Muskat.

Mr. FASCELL. Dr. Muskat, we will be very happy to hear from you.

STATEMENT OF DR. IRVING E. MUSKAT, CHAIRMAN,
INTER-AMERICAN CENTER AUTHORITY

Dr. MUSKAT. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, and Congressman Pepper, I hardly know what to say after such a statement about me. I am sure that I cannot live up to it.

In order to save time, and time is moving on, Mr. Chairman, with your permission I should like to read the statement to be sure that we do not go over a certain time.

Mr. FASCELL. You may proceed.

Dr. MUSKAT. As chairman of the Inter-American Center Authority-an agency of the State of Florida-created for the purpose of establishing and operating Interama, I appreciate the opportunity to make this presentation in support of H.R. 30. In this connection, I would also like to thank each of you who signed the petition presented to President Johnson last October, which played an important part in the authorization of a $22 million loan from the Community Facilities Administration. As you know, this loan will be used for the construction of the United States and the individual Latin American pavilions in Interama.

Interama is being created as the first permanent international living exposition. It will be a showcase to demonstrate how our great civilization has evolved within the framework of democratic institutions. Our two Senators and Congressman Pepper have already recounted the history of this project and have set forth its objectives. As Americans, we are justifiably proud of our accomplishments. But we take them for granted, and tend to overlook their importance. Now, through the facilities of Interama, these accomplishments will be made. part of our record and we will be able to demonstrate to the rest of the world that they were gained without the loss of individual freedom.

During the past 5 years, the authority has been engaged in a most comprehensive study, analysis, and planning program to make certain that this project will be successful. We have studied every major exposition and trade fair in order to determine the reasons for their failures or successes.

The project for your consideration today is a synthesis of what we have learned through our extensive research. It has been endorsed by President Kennedy and President Johnson, Vice President Humphrey, and Secretary of Commerce Connor, every Governor of Florida since 1950, the State legislature and local municipal organizations have actively sponsored this project. In addition to the CFA loan, financial support has been received from State and local governments and through a bond issue. At this time, Interama has access to between $80 and $100 million.

Interama owns 1,700 acres of land, valued after development, at between $50 and $60 million. Six hundred and eighty acres have already been cleared and filled at a cost of about $3.5 million. The remaining undeveloped acreage will be utilized, as required, for future expansion.

I might at this point indicate, Mr. Chairman, just what this is. [Indicating on map.]

Actually, this is the area where Interama is located. This is the Intracoastal Waterway, this is Biscayne Bay, and this is Miami. Here is U.S. Highway 1. The 1,700 acres referred to are in this area. Of the 1,700 acres, 680 acres have been fully developed and are ready for construction. It is hardly conceivable how a better location could

be found.

May I point out this is not an architectural rendition. This is an actual photograph. This is what you see when you fly over the ground. This is Interama today. This is Interama tomorrow. This is an architectural rendition.

We have in hand, firm commitments for underground electrical and telephone systems from the Florida Power & Light Co. and Southern Bell Telephone Co., respectively, at no cost to Interama. The city of North Miami has agreed to provide adequate water distribution and sewage collection, at no capital outlay to Interama.

The design and construction of the 19 miles of access and interior roads, estimated to cost between $8 and $10 million, has already been pledged by the State of Florida.

Thus, the basic supporting physical requirements for a major exposition have been established.

And may I again turn to these renditions.

Here are the areas we are talking about. These are the 680 acres, and you will see many changes. You will drive through the grounds which you ordinarily do not do in a State fair. These are the roads. There are three entrances. Two have already been designed. Parking will not be a long distance away. You will park near the exhibits you want to see. The whole of this project is being developed as a beautiful subtropical park and underlying controls will be in the trees and shrubs and beautiful flowers we have in the Miami area. Here we have the Power of Freedom that Senator Holland has spoken of. It has been approved by the CSA and the feasibility report has been completed and construction is assured.