[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 455 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 455

   Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Congress-Bundestag Youth 
Exchange, the 30th anniversary of the Future Leaders Exchange, and the 
    20th anniversary of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            November 8, 2023

     Mr. King (for himself and Mr. Young) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Congress-Bundestag Youth 
Exchange, the 30th anniversary of the Future Leaders Exchange, and the 
    20th anniversary of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study.

Whereas 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange 
        (referred to in this preamble as ``CBYX'');
Whereas CBYX was established by Congress to allow participants and communities 
        to benefit from mutual understanding and the sharing of ideas;
Whereas CBYX participants represent the spirit, values, and diversity of the 
        United States on an international stage;
Whereas CBYX provides high school students and young professionals in the United 
        States and Germany with a valuable opportunity to live and study in the 
        other country for an academic year;
Whereas, for the youth of the United States and Germany, CBYX strengthens ties 
        between them, improves their career skills through formal study and work 
        experience, and expands their perspectives and awareness of the culture, 
        society, history, and politics of each other;
Whereas maintaining a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with Germany, a 
        key ally, remains a top priority for the United States;
Whereas, since 1983, more than 29,000 students have participated in CBYX;
Whereas 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the Future Leaders Exchange (referred 
        to in this preamble as ``FLEX'');
Whereas FLEX was established by Congress after the fall of the Soviet Union to 
        allow students from former Eastern Bloc nations to live and study in the 
        United States;
Whereas FLEX students gain leadership skills, learn about the society and values 
        of the United States, and teach the people of the United States about 
        their home countries and cultures;
Whereas FLEX students perform community service in their United States 
        communities and act as ambassadors of their home countries;
Whereas FLEX produces world leaders, including Rustem Umierov, the current 
        Minister of Defense of Ukraine, who go on to promote democratic values 
        on the world stage;
Whereas the best way to ensure long-lasting peace and mutual understanding 
        between the United States and the countries of Eurasia is to enable 
        young people to learn about the United States and the people of the 
        United States firsthand;
Whereas, since 1993, more than 30,000 students from more than 22 countries have 
        participated in FLEX;
Whereas 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and 
        Study (referred to in this preamble as ``YES'');
Whereas YES was established by Congress after the events of September 11, 2001, 
        to build bridges between citizens of the United States and countries 
        around the world, particularly those with significant Muslim 
        populations;
Whereas YES participants from abroad live with volunteer host families in the 
        United States, attend high school, and engage in community service and 
        civic education activities;
Whereas YES offers participants from the United States full scholarships for 1 
        academic year to live and study abroad in selected YES countries;
Whereas, since 2003, approximately 15,000 students from more than 45 countries 
        have participated in YES and YES Abroad; and
Whereas CBYX, FLEX, and YES advance key foreign policy goals by empowering young 
        people around the globe, supporting civil society and democratic ideals, 
        and promoting mutual understanding between the United States and other 
        countries: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes--
                    (A) the 40th anniversary of the Congress-Bundestag 
                Youth Exchange;
                    (B) the 30th anniversary of the Future Leaders 
                Exchange; and
                    (C) the 20th anniversary of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth 
                Exchange and Study;
            (2) recognizes and congratulates all past and present 
        participants of the programs described in paragraph (1);
            (3) encourages continued support by Congress and the 
        President for the important mission of the Bureau of 
        Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State, 
        which is to design, implement, and oversee educational, 
        professional, and cultural exchange programs and public 
        engagement activities to increase mutual understanding between 
        the people of the United States and the people of other 
        countries;
            (4) supports the use of international exchange programs to 
        build future leaders who can meet global challenges that 
        promote mutual understanding, cross-cultural networks, 
        inclusive leadership development, and civic education; and
            (5) encourages families and high schools in the United 
        States to consider opportunities to host youth exchange 
        programs administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
        Affairs, including the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, the 
        Future Leaders Exchange, and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange 
        and Study, to help build mutual understanding in their 
        communities.
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