Whereas BridgeUSA (formerly the J–1 Exchange Visitor Program) was created alongside the Peace Corps and United States Agency for International Development during the Cold War to promote the diplomatic and foreign affairs goals of the United States, goals the Department of State still advances in administering BridgeUSA as Federal cultural exchange programs to this day; Whereas roughly 300,000 participants from more than 200 countries and territories visit the United States on a J–1 cultural exchange visa each year; Whereas the work component of certain BridgeUSA programs, the largest public diplomacy program offered by the United States, makes travel to the United States possible for a broad and diverse group of international students and young people; Whereas 91 percent of Summer Work Travel (SWT) Program participants report cultural exchange as their top reason for participating in the Program; Whereas 84 percent of Camp Counselors report having a more positive view of America after working at a camp; Whereas 76 percent of SWT Program participants reported a positive change in views regarding the United States; Whereas 50 percent of employers stated that the absence of the SWT Program participants would have a negative impact on revenues; Whereas 39 percent of employers said they would have to reduce hours of operation without the SWT Program; Whereas annually the ski industry embraces more than 8,000 SWT participants from the Southern Hemisphere who provide a richer cultural experience for their coworkers and guests, while learning important skills about the recreation and hospitality business and at the same time generating significant economic impacts, spending, and taxes in communities where they are located; Whereas there are similar cultural and economic benefits among participants from the Northern Hemisphere who are placed in small rural communities that attract large crowds in the summer at national parks, amusement parks, attractions, and resorts across the country