Chaired by Countess Alice M. Tarnowski, committee members arranged for or helped to organize numerous cultural events, including concerts of chamber music, often at or in cooperation with the Czechoslovak Embassy and its Cultural Attaché. Under its Editor-in-Chief, Cari Votava and then Julie Mazur, the monthly newsletter became a valuable source of information on bilateral U.S-Czechoslovak agenda to those in the private or public sector, individuals and institutions interested in the development and expansion of cooperation. The ACS News Editor-in-Chief and her team interviewed key players in the bilateral agenda, including national leaders and officials. Tom Lantos, Member of the U.S. Congress (D-CA), born in Hungary, the only member of both chambers of the Congress who is a survivor of the Holocaust, devoted significant parts of his life to human rights and assistance to the post-communist nations of Central Europe. Robert J. Mrazek, Member of the U.S. Congress (D-NY), representing his Long Island district and of Czech origin, and accomplished author and movie producer. Julian Niemczyk, former U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, provided important support to Czechoslovak dissidents and Charter 77 members during his mission in Prague before 1989, and provided significant assistance to the newly formed government after the Velvet Revolution. Charles A. Vanik, Member of U.S. Congress (D-OH), representing the Cleveland district, as an accomplished U.S. legislator, being the co-author with U.S. Senator, Henry M. Jackson (D-WA), of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment which played a significant role in relations with the Soviet Union. The Amendment for decades denied the Soviet Union and its satellites status as favorable trade nations in bilateral trade unless they adhered to certain guidelines set out on human rights. After the Velvet Revolution, Vanik led numerous initiatives in gathering support in the U.S. to support the new Czechoslovak government, helping secure re-admission of the republic to the International Money Fund and the World Bank. In October, 1995, in recognition of Mr. Vanik's life-long achievements in assistance to democracy, and upon nomination by the ACSA President, Robert Miller, the president of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel, awarded Charles Vanik with one of the highest Czech honors, the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, 1st Class. The act took place at the Vladislav Hall at the Prague Castle, at a traditional gala-ceremony celebrating Czechoslovak Independence Day.