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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 470 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 470

Recognizing that international education and exchange programs further 
   national security and foreign policy priorities, enhance economic 
competitiveness, and promote mutual understanding and cooperation among 
                                nations.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 24, 2017

Mr. Himes (for himself, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Evans, Mr. 
Grijalva, Ms. Jenkins of Kansas, Mr. Keating, Mr. Smith of Washington, 
 Mr. Welch, and Mr. Donovan) submitted the following resolution; which 
            was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing that international education and exchange programs further 
   national security and foreign policy priorities, enhance economic 
competitiveness, and promote mutual understanding and cooperation among 
                                nations.

Whereas hundreds of thousands of secondary and higher education students study 
        overseas each year, coming from congressional districts across all fifty 
        States;
Whereas according to the Department of State, more than one million 
        international students and other international education and exchange 
        participants annually help create mutual understanding by living, 
        studying, and working in local communities throughout the United States;
Whereas international education and exchange programs serve an effective and 
        proven diplomatic function with countries key to foreign policy and 
        national security priorities, encouraging goodwill toward the United 
        States;
Whereas promoting the United States as a destination for international students 
        and professionals, while also encouraging students and professionals to 
        gain international experience abroad, are wise investments in our 
        country's economic competitiveness;
Whereas it is imperative that students understand how to interact with their 
        colleagues from around the world and operate in multicultural 
        environments;
Whereas it is important to diversify the pool of citizens participating in 
        international study and exchange experiences;
Whereas students and other young people are the world's future leaders and 
        innovators;
Whereas there are multitudes of privately organized and funded exchange 
        programs, while many others are funded by the Government;
Whereas international education and exchange programs exist at multiple levels--
        high school, college, graduate, educator, citizen, cultural, and sport 
        programs;
Whereas international students consistently have a positive impact on the 
        economy and job creation in every State and congressional district, 
        according to economic analysis by NAFSA: Association of International 
        Educators using international student enrollment data by the Institute 
        of International Education in partnership with the Department of State 
        and tuition data from the Department of Education. This analysis shows 
        that international students studying at United States colleges and 
        universities contributed $32.8 billion to the economy and supported more 
        than 400,000 jobs during the 2015-16 academic year. This represents a 
        7.2-percent increase in job support and creation, and a 7-percent 
        increase in dollars contributed to the economy from the previous 
        academic year;
Whereas their exchange experiences enable international visitors to become 
        informal ambassadors both for their home countries while they are in the 
        United States and for the United States when they return home, sharing 
        an appreciation for common values, counteracting stereotypes, and 
        enhancing respect for cultural differences;
Whereas research indicates that the United States needs to encourage more 
        students to graduate with expertise in foreign languages, cultures, and 
        politics to fill the demands of business, government, and universities;
Whereas international education and exchange programs are a singularly effective 
        way for American students to develop foreign language capability and 
        cultural awareness, skills that employers seek in order to remain 
        globally competitive; and
Whereas international education and exchange programs shape the views and 
        opinions of participants, many of whom are, or will become, leaders in 
        their communities, both in the United States and abroad: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that international education and exchange 
        programs enhance national security, significantly further 
        United States foreign policy goals and economic 
        competitiveness, and promote mutual understanding and 
        cooperation among nations;
            (2) encourages international education and exchange 
        programs to ensure that the United States maintains a broad 
        international knowledge base;
            (3) supports international education and exchange programs 
        as a means to strengthen foreign language skills and foster a 
        better understanding of the world by United States citizens, 
        especially youth;
            (4) commends the American and international education and 
        exchange participants, volunteers, educators, program alumni, 
        host families, high schools, institutions of higher education, 
        and host communities for their involvement in such programs; 
        and
            (5) celebrates the integral role international education 
        and exchange programs play for the United States and its 
        people.
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