[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E511-E512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE STIVERS

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2019

  Mr. STIVERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of 
Ohio's 15th Congressional District to recognize the contributions of 
international students and scholars.
  At a time when nations around the globe are increasing their efforts 
and deploying new strategies to attract international talent, 
enrollment in American institutions is on a decline. Ohio's 15th 
Congressional District, and the nation, benefit from these students, 
and we are at risk of losing this valuable talent.

[[Page E512]]

  In addition to bringing diverse perspectives and new ideas to our 
classrooms, international students have an economic impact. They create 
jobs and stimulate our economies. In fact, it is estimated that in the 
2017-2018 school year, in the 15th District alone, international 
students contributed over $48 million to our economies and created over 
500 jobs.
  But the economic value that they contribute to this country is not in 
dollars and jobs alone. In fact, individual current and former 
international students contribute their talents in our communities each 
and every day across this great nation.
  I'm proud to have international students contributing in a 
significant way in my own congressional district. To cite just one 
example, Rebin Muhammed is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Mathematics 
at Ohio University in Athens. His area of focus is Ring Theory, which 
is key in the design of codes that facilitate space travel, digital 
communications, and high-fidelity music recording. Originally from 
Iraq, he is helping inspire the next generation of mathematicians by 
volunteering with the Southeast Ohio Math Teachers' Circle and The Math 
League of Southeast Ohio, which coordinates math-related activities for 
diverse groups of middle and high school age kids.
  It is students like Rebin who deserve an immigration system that 
works. Perhaps most importantly, we should continue to attract students 
by creating a path to green cards for the most talented. We should not 
educate future leaders and innovators, only to force them out of our 
country when they are on the verge of the next breakthrough.
  With tomorrow, May 1, as ``Decision Day'' for students to commit to 
colleges across the country, I want prospective international students 
to know their contributions are valued, and they are welcome here. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the contributions of 
international students and in working to make sure the United States is 
the destination of choice for the best and brightest across the globe.

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