Recognizing Fulbright Program Recipients

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 28 individuals from the Pennsylvania 15th Congressional District who have received prestigious Fulbright awards during the 2022-2023 school year and the 2023-2024 school year.

Congress established the Fulbright Program in 1946. It promotes friendly and peaceful relations between Americans and people of other countries through international educational exchange. Each year, more than 3,000 U.S. students, scholars, artists, and professionals in more than 100 different fields of study are offered Fulbright Program grants to lecture, study, teach English, and conduct research.

We proudly have Fulbright participants from Bradford, Duboistown, Lewisburg, Port Matilda, Selinsgrove, and State College, Pennsylvania. These recipients have earned their national recognition with years of study, leadership, and service, and our community is proud.

Mr. Speaker, the Fulbright Program is one of the most sought-after exchange programs in the world. It encourages applications from individuals of academic and professional achievement who are current and future leaders in their respective fields. Selected through open, merit-based competition, Fulbrighters represent the excellence and diversity of their societies around the world and in the United States.

They make an impact in all areas, including the environment, public service, technology, public health, and the arts. They study and teach in high-priority areas such as mental health, opioid addiction, cybersecurity, and military preparedness.

Since 1946, more than 400,000 individuals from the United States and over 160 countries and territories have participated in the program, including 42 heads of state, 62 Nobel laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Foundation fellows, and 16 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients.

These relationships form a foundation of trust on which the United States may advance global peace and security. I know that the memorable learning experiences individuals encounter through the program will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I thank all of our Fulbrighters, especially the 28 from Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District. We are grateful for their contributions and most proud of their achievements.

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