The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“YOUTH EXCHANGE AND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H6562 on July 19, 2018.
The State Department is responsibly for international relations with a budget of more than $50 billion. Tenure at the State Dept. is increasingly tenuous and it's seen as an extension of the President's will, ambitions and flaws.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
YOUTH EXCHANGE AND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad program, otherwise known as the YES program.
Sponsored by the Department of State and funded by Congress, the YES program is celebrating 15 years of connecting the world.
Established after the September 11 attacks, high school students from across the country spend an academic year in countries with a significant Muslim population. The students live with a host family, attend a local high school, and engage in activities to learn about their host country's society and values. In turn, the students share American culture and values with the people of their host country.
I recently met with a YES program participant from Pennsylvania's Fifth District, Jocelyn Krieger from Port Matilda. This past academic year, Jocelyn lived and learned in Bosnia. She and numerous other students were able to participate in this important cultural exchange that fosters understanding and collaboration between people of different backgrounds.
Mr. Speaker, I know that this great program will continue to grow and connect cultures to truly build a global community.
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