; 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; 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 Kennedy-Lugar 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