About
the Valery P. Chkalov
Cultural Exchange Committee
A Word from the President of CCEC
Officers, Board of Directors, Advisory Board Members
A Word from the PresidentRussia is the largest nation in the world, covering 11 time zones, and is richest in natural resources, The United States has the world's strongest economy. With common purpose, there's not much these two nations cannot accomplish.
Since the birth of Russian democracy, a mere 11 years ago, that common purpose is within reach. There are problems, however, and continued good relations are not guaranteed. Vancouver has a unique opportunity today to contribute significantly to improving those relations. Over the years since that 1937 flight brought three brave Russian flyers to Vancouver, this community has extended its hand of friendship to countless Russian visitors who wanted to see the famous spot where their "Lindbergh" landed.
From ambassadors, governors and famous cosmonauts to ordinary tourists, Russians come to Vancouver to pay tribute to their heroes and the monument raised to them by ordinary Vancouver/Portland citizens. A mutual warmth and friendship has developed over the years between those Russians and this community.
It is the purpose of Chkalov Cultural Exchange Committee to expand those feelings of friendship to include a wider circle of citizens, develop more areas of contact between us, and to make this unique Vancouver tie with Russia a permanent and unforgettable element of this community's life. More specifically, the mission of our Committee is to use Valery Chkalov's record-breaking flight and his prescient two-river metaphor ("like the Columbia and the Volga, which flow on the same planet and make up elements of the same world ocean, so to must the peoples of Russia and the United States, with cooperative work, beautify this ocean of human life.") to bring more Russians and Americans together in peace and friendship--to promote American-Russian understanding through social, cultural, athletic, educational,. business and governmental activities and contacts. Russia has a fantastically rich cultural tradition in literature, music, art and history--and because mutual understanding and respect is enhanced through knowledge of another culture, the Committee plans to offer educational/social evenings where the Russian cultural tradition can be examined and discussed.
In today's volatile world, it's important to have this huge nation as our friend. With her massive resources and creative population, Russia will inevitable become a more powerful and influential country, but whether she survives as a democracy is not assured. Contact with America and Americans can provide democratic value to our democratic sister across the oceans. Given our vastly dissimilar historical experiences, it's amazing U.S.-Russian relations are as good as they are. But we need to do more to ensure that Russians respect our values and trust our intentions.
The Chkalov Cultural Exchange Committee has witnessed the warmth and friendship generated by friendly visits over the years based on that Chkalov record-breaking flight. The Committee is certain that with deeper citizen awareness of the role they can play, this community will make a significant contribution to improved American-Russian relations. We therefore extend a warm welcome to all who wish to join, or financially support, our organization and who share our belief that we must help Vancouver take advantage of it's unique opportunity to improve American-Russian relations.
Jess V. Frost, President
Officers
President, Jess V. Frost
Vice President, Doug Lasher
Secretary, Kathy Hallock
Treasurer, John Donnelly
Board of Directors
Dave Dumas
Buck Heidrick
Dick Osborne
Nadine Robertson
Sue Tellock
Advisory Board
Former State Senator Al Bauer
Former State Senator Don Carlson
Don & Vivian Dunkle
The Honorable Ralph Munro,
State Secretary of State (Retired)
Former State Represenative Val Ogden
Mayor Royce Pollard
Councilman Dan Tonkovich
Mike WilsonMarsha Fromhold