Having hosted exchange students from the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program for the last three years; My family has had the privilege to meet some of the most inspiring young individuals from around the world. Each student we have hosted or met through the program has been a shining example of the kindness, helpfulness, and intelligence that their home countries have to offer. These students have shown us that we are more than our governments or the portrayals in the media; they have become part of our family and community.

The YES program, established in the aftermath of 9/11, aims to promote understanding and diplomacy between the US and countries with significant Muslim populations. This program is vital, providing opportunities for students from across the globe to live and study in the United States, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) currently proposes cuts to the YES program, which could significantly undermine its mission and impact. Cutting funding for the YES program would not only limit opportunities for students to gain invaluable educational experiences but also dismantle an essential bridge of cultural exchange and understanding that is more critical than ever in our current global climate.

We cannot afford to let financial decisions impede the powerful positive impact this program has on individuals and communities. The relationships built through YES foster long-term international friendships and break down cultural barriers, proving that people are more alike than we are different.

I urge you to join me in calling on the OMB to preserve funding for the YES program. These students deserve the chance to share their cultures and stories with us, and we need programs like YES to continue building a more connected and harmonious world.

Sign this petition to stand with me in protecting and preserving the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program for future generations of students and hosts alike.