CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Joint Resolution No. 12

Introduced by Senator Wiener

August 21, 2017

Relative to international exchange programs.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SJR 12, as introduced, Wiener. Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
This measure would encourage the federal government to maintain or restore full funding to integral international exchange programs, such as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Fiscal Committee: NO  
WHEREAS, United States international exchange programs, such as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, are vital to creating and fostering relationships with countries around the world and to the promotion of international peace and diplomacy; and
WHEREAS, The current Administration has submitted a budget proposal that, if adopted, would result in a devastating 47 percent cut to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for fiscal year 2018; and
WHEREAS, The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries; and
WHEREAS, The Fulbright U.S. Student Program was founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946, and it is known as the gold standard in international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists, and artists; and
WHEREAS, Fulbright U.S. Student Program alumni have achieved distinction in government, science, the arts, business, philanthropy, education, and athletics; and
WHEREAS, The prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program has helped develop 82 Pulitzer Prize winners and 57 Nobel Prize recipients, and 33 alumni have served as heads of state or government, 10 have been elected to the United States Congress, and one has served as Secretary General of the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, Many private and public California higher education institutions have excelled in preparing competitive applicants for these scholarship awards; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature encourages the federal government to maintain or restore full funding to integral international exchange programs, such as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.