III 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 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. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 

Mr. KING (for himself and Mr. YOUNG) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

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. 

Whereas 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the CongressBundestag 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 valuVerDate Sep 11 2014 22:49 Nov 08, 2023 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR455.IS SR455

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•SRES 455 IS 

able 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; 


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•SRES 455 IS 

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 KennedyLugar 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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 455 IS 

1 (1) recognizes— 

2 (A) the 40th anniversary of the Congress3 Bundestag Youth Exchange; 

4 (B) the 30th anniversary of the Future 

5 Leaders Exchange; and 

6 (C) the 20th anniversary of the Kennedy7 Lugar Youth Exchange and Study; 

8 (2) recognizes and congratulates all past and 

9 present participants of the programs described in 

10 paragraph (1); 

11 (3) encourages continued support by Congress 

12 and the President for the important mission of the 

13 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the 

14 Department of State, which is to design, implement, 

15 and oversee educational, professional, and cultural 

16 exchange programs and public engagement activities 

17 to increase mutual understanding between the people 

18 of the United States and the people of other coun19 tries; 

20 (4) supports the use of international exchange 

21 programs to build future leaders who can meet glob22 al challenges that promote mutual understanding, 

23 cross-cultural networks, inclusive leadership develop24 ment, and civic education; and 


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•SRES 455 IS 

1 (5) encourages families and high schools in the 

2 United States to consider opportunities to host 

3 youth exchange programs administered by the Bu4 reau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, including 

5 the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, the Fu6 ture Leaders Exchange, and the Kennedy-Lugar 

7 Youth Exchange and Study, to help build mutual 

8 understanding in their communities. 

Æ 


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