[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 185 (Wednesday, November 8, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    SENATE RESOLUTION 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

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

                              S. Res. 455

       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); and
       (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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