[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 122 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H6562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                YOUTH EXCHANGE AND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad program, otherwise 
known as the YES program.
  Sponsored by the Department of State and funded by Congress, the YES 
program is celebrating 15 years of connecting the world.
  Established after the September 11 attacks, high school students from 
across the country spend an academic year in countries with a 
significant Muslim population. The students live with a host family, 
attend a local high school, and engage in activities to learn about 
their host country's society and values. In turn, the students share 
American culture and values with the people of their host country.
  I recently met with a YES program participant from Pennsylvania's 
Fifth District, Jocelyn Krieger from Port Matilda. This past academic 
year, Jocelyn lived and learned in Bosnia. She and numerous other 
students were able to participate in this important cultural exchange 
that fosters understanding and collaboration between people of 
different backgrounds.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that this great program will continue to grow and 
connect cultures to truly build a global community.

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