ICYMI:
Yesterday morning, I woke up to an email from our D.C. partners with an urgent plea to contact our Representatives and ask them to vote "no" on H.R. 8771 Amendment 38, which would have defunded our exchange programs. I am delighted to share that all the amendments that would have impacted the professional and cultural exchange programs were defeated! We are part of a larger network of nonprofits and communities across the United States hosting international professional and cultural exchange programs, and as a collective group of citizen diplomats, we sent 2,456 letters to 391 Representatives and made countless phone calls and additional touchpoints. Pulling this off within two days was only possible with the support from people in communities across the nation, including Utah, who put the democratic process to work! Additionally, last night, as amendments were debated on the House floor, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) spoke on the importance of exchange programs: “The Department of State educational and cultural exchanges account funds people-to-people engagement, which supports our country’s foreign policy objectives. These programs foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries and promote peace and understanding. Lord knows we need this. They allow us to promote our values of democracy, freedom of the press, and civic participation, as well as promote dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of diverse perspectives, especially for the cultivation of the next generation of global leaders. These programs also help us understand those who may or may not share our values, but we at least have an opportunity to engage.”- Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) “Amendments proposed today zero out funding for Ukraine, for USAID, humanitarian and natural disaster relief, and educational exchange programs. That’s critical to promoting America’s standing around the world. This is irresponsible policy making.” - Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) I am grateful to the exchange champions in our community who believe in people-to-people connections that foster: - Respect for all people and diverse perspectives; - Personal and social responsibility; - A belief that the people of the world are interconnected; - Open and respectful dialogue. Truly grateful! Thank you Rep Celeste Maloy, Rep John Curtis, Rep Blake D. Moore, and Rep Burgess Owens for your support of Exchange Programs.
