TITLE: Recognizing the Summitt-Koblenz Exchange Program.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the Summitt-Koblenz Exchange Program.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Summitt-Koblenz Exchange program, which has served to enrich and expand the cultural horizons of Summitt Elementary School students since the program's inception in 1992; and WHEREAS, The Summitt-Koblenz Exchange is a foreign-exchange and cultural immersion program that provides the opportunity for students in the fourth and fifth grades at Summitt Elementary School in Austin and at Schenkendorf Schule in Koblenz, Germany, to host visiting exchange students and to travel abroad to stay with host families of their sister school; participating students submit essays and are selected by a committee to take part in the program, and the schools alternate between visiting and hosting each year; and WHEREAS, The exchange program began in 1992, after Austin and Koblenz became Sister Cities under Sister Cities International; a group of Summitt Elementary School students created artwork to present as gifts to a delegation visiting Austin from Koblenz, and the group of students was invited to visit Koblenz in the summer of 1993; the following year, students from the Schenkendorf Schule traveled to Austin and were hosted by families of Summitt Elementary School students, and a long and rewarding partnership between the schools was begun; and WHEREAS, The two schools and the cities of Austin and Koblenz are proud to celebrate the Summitt-Koblenz Exchange program's decades of success and the positive impact it has made in the lives of students and families; the program's participants and the educators, families, and members of the community of Summitt Elementary School have benefited greatly from this outstanding program over the years, and it is indeed fitting that the program receive special recognition on its exemplary contributions to the educational and cultural enrichment of students in the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby commend all who have contributed to carrying on this treasured tradition on their invaluable efforts and extend to all associated with the Summitt-Koblenz Exchange program best wishes for the future and for the program's continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Eckhardt President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 3, 2023.