Whereas hundreds of thousands of United States secondary and post-secondary students, from congressional districts in all 50 States, study overseas each year; Whereas, according to the Department of State, more than 1,000,000 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 United States foreign policy and national security priorities, encouraging goodwill towards the United States; Whereas promoting the United States as a destination for international students and professionals, while encouraging United States students and professionals to gain international experience abroad, are wise investments in our Nation’s economic competitiveness; Whereas it is imperative that United States students understand how to interact with their peers from around the world and operate in multicultural environments; Whereas it is important to diversify the pool of United States citizens participating in international study and exchange experiences, including groups that have been historically underrepresented in these programs; Whereas students and other young people are the world’s future leaders and innovators; Whereas there are multitudes of private, not-for-profit organized and funded exchange programs and many that are funded by the United States Government; Whereas international education and exchange programs exist at multiple levels of the educational spectrum, including high school, undergraduate, graduate, educator, citizen, cultural, and sports programs