For Immediate Release

3/6/2017

Contact:
For ACYPL: Alex Rich, 202.448.9325, arich@acypl.org
For City of Gulfport: Chris Vignes, 228.868.5782, cvignes@gulfport-ms.gov

Councilman R.Lee Flowers to Participate in International Political Exchange to

Australia

Washington, DC Councilman R.Lee Flowers of Gulfport, Mississippi has been selected to

participate in a 10-day political exchange program to Australia as a delegate on a trip organized
by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL).

Councilman Flowers will join seven other emerging political and policy leaders between the ages
of 25-40 from across the United States to explore the governance, politics, and policy making in
Australia. The exchange is being arranged by ACYPL in partnership with the Australian Political
Exchange Council, and made possible by a grant from the United States Department of State
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

ACYPL exchanges give American local leaders a global perspective. Throughout their program,
delegates will meet with high level government and policy officials, political party
representatives, business and community leaders, and ACYPL alumni, said ACYPL Interim CEO
Libby Rosenbaum. They will explore a whole range of issues, and gain a unique perspective on
the history, politics, and culture of Australia.

"I look forward to showcasing the good things we're doing in Gulfport and the strong, rich
Mississippi culture to my fellow delegates and leaders in Australia. This program exposes me to
successful methods we can use to improve our community based upon the experiences of
others," said Councilman Flowers.

The other American delegates participating in this exchange include: Treasurer Mike Frerichs of
the State of Illinois, Speaker Pro Tempore Tyler August of the Wisconsin State Assembly,
Representative Anthony Daniels of the Alabama House of Representatives, Councilmember Jaiza
Page of the Columbus (Ohio) City Council, Erica Jedynak, New Jersey State Director of Americans
for Prosperity, Angie Welling, Public Affairs Manager at Google, and Kristy Tsadick, Associate
General Counsel of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Other notable ACYPL alumni from Mississippi include:

The Honorable Billy Hewes, Mayor of Gulfport US to Japan 1996

The Honorable John Horhn, State Senator US to India 1995

The Honorable Henry Zuber III, State Representative US to Australia 2004

US to Hungary & Romania 2009
The Honorable Angela Cockerham, State US to South Africa 2008
Representative
ABOUT ACYPL
Since 1966, the American Council of Young Political Leaders [ACYPL] has designed and
implemented unique international exchange activities for political leaders worldwide. Our
programs are designed to encourage civil discourse, active citizenship, and engaged and sound
public policy making. They promote sustained professional relationships and friendships among
young people poised to become tomorrows global leaders and policy makers.

At a time when national and international politics are polarized and unresponsive to mounting
public policy challenges, ACYPLs efforts to promote civil dialogue and civic engagement among
Democrats, Republicans, and Independents from across the US and their multi-partisan peers
from around the world has never been more urgent. ACYPL exchanges enhance participants
ability to shape broader perspectives about the world and make them better decision makers at
home.

Each year, with support from the United States Department of State, our international exchange
partner organizations, and a wide range of corporate, foundation, labor, and individual partners,
we conduct a variety of bilateral and multilateral exchanges for emerging leaders from across
the United States and around the world. ACYPL has a network of over 8,500 alumni in 125
countries and territories, many whom have risen to positions of national and international
prominence.

For more information on ACYPL, please visit http://www.acypl.org

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