Boozman, Booker, Cotton, Shaheen Lead Resolution Honoring Fulbright Program’s 80th Anniversary

WASHINGTON— U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led introduction of a Senate resolution recognizing eight decades since the establishment of the Fulbright Program by former U.S. Senator for Arkansas James William Fulbright on August 1, 1946. The cultural exchange initiative, which promotes U.S. higher education abroad and remains a valuable diplomatic tool, operates in more than 160 countries. Its alumni include 63 Nobel Prize laureates, 94 recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, 44 heads of state, 17 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, 11 members of the United States Congress, a former Secretary-General of the United Nations, a former Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and an Astronaut who set foot on the moon. “Senator Fulbright believed that greater understanding between people and nations could help create a more peaceful world. Whether we are welcoming students to America or sending our nation’s brightest abroad, this strong tradition reflects the very best of Senator Fulbright’s vision of enriching lives and showing the world the best of the United States. I am proud to lead this resolution acknowledging this significant milestone and celebrating its effectiveness in fostering good will that ultimately serves our national security interests,” Boozman said . “For eighty years, the Fulbright Program has shown that some of America's strongest partnerships begin when people come together across cultures in pursuit of knowledge,” said Booker . “Fulbright has sparked discoveries, forged lifelong friendships, and prepared generations of leaders with the empathy to see the world through another's eyes. This resolution honors the profound impact of the Fulbright Program and its enduring legacy of strengthening American leadership through education, service, and the belief that our common humanity is greater than the borders that divide us.” “Eighty years ago, Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas, began the Fulbright Scholars program. Throughout the years, this program has created thousands of scholarship opportunities for Americans to travel abroad and return with knowledge to benefit our country,” Cotton said . “For decades, the Fulbright Program has helped hundreds of thousands of American scholars build lasting relationships, advance groundbreaking research and strengthen ties between the United States and countries around the world,” said Shaheen . “As we celebrate the Fulbright Program’s 80th anniversary, this bipartisan resolution underscores our commitment to one of our nation’s most effective diplomatic tools, strengthening American leadership, promoting mutual understanding and helping to build a more peaceful and secure world.” The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State. Boozman and Booker co-founded the Congressional International Exchange Caucus earlier this year along with Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA). “For eighty years, Fulbright has shown the world what American leadership looks like at its best — not only in what we accomplish at home, but in the relationships we build around the world. Generations of Fulbright participants from every corner of the United States have advanced scientific discovery, strengthened our national security, expanded economic opportunity, and forged trusted partnerships rooted in mutual respect and shared purpose. As we mark this historic anniversary, we honor the enduring bipartisan vision that has made Fulbright the world’s premier international exchange program and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that its extraordinary legacy continues to serve the United States and our global partners for generations to come,” Institute of International Education President & CEO Jason Czyz. “For 80 years, the Fulbright Program has created life-changing opportunities for students while strengthening relationships between the United States and people around the world. Its commitment to education, cultural exchange and international understanding remains vitally important today. We are grateful to Senators Boozman, Cotton, Booker and Shaheen for recognizing this historic milestone and the program’s enduring impact,” University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles Robinson . Click here to read the text of the resolution.