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