Representatives Blake Moore and Annie Kuster Reintroduce Legislation in Support of BridgeUSA Programs
WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Annie Kuster (D-NH) reintroduced a resolution for the 118th Congress expressing congressional support for BridgeUSA programs—formerly the Exchange Visitor J-1 Visa Program—which are vital to the economy and national interests of the United States. Across the nation, and in states like Utah and New Hampshire, participants in these programs fill vital workforce needs, strengthen America’s tourism industry and cultural diversity, and advance our important diplomatic efforts domestically and abroad. Approximately 300,000 participants from over 200 countries and territories visit the United States on a J-1 cultural exchange visa each year.
“Communities across Utah take advantage of the BridgeUSA programs with great success, and they deserve Congress’s full support,” said Congressman Blake Moore. “These work and study exchange programs have opened up amazing opportunities and experiences in America for hundreds of thousands of foreigners while also supplementing our workforce and supporting our businesses. States like Utah that rely on a seasonal workforce to fuel local tourism need programs like these to ensure economic growth, and I am thrilled to once again leads this Resolution with my colleague Representative Kuster.”
“The BridgeUSA program plays a critical role in New Hampshire’s tourism economy and our communities. The work-and study-based exchange visa program attracts foreign visitors, students, and workers to our state and strengthens cultural understanding,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “We must invest in the BridgeUSA program to bolster our economy and enrich our communities for years to come. I am proud to join with my colleagues from across the aisle to ensure that is the case.”
“New Hampshire employers rely on programs like BridgeUSA to meet their workforce needs and run their small businesses,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “BridgeUSA ensures our small businesses can meet the demand of their customers, strengthens our diplomatic efforts, and bolsters our tourism industry. I’m pleased to join this bipartisan effort in support of this program, and I will continue working to support our tourism industry, strengthen our local economy, and address the needs of our small businesses.”
“I want to thank Reps. Moore and Kuster for their strong support of Department of State international exchange programs,” said Mark Overmann, Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange. “BridgeUSA exchanges are a win-win for the U.S. They bolster our national security and foreign policy by creating lasting relationships with students and young leaders from around the world. They also support American businesses, camps, universities, and families and contribute more than $1.2 billion to the U.S. economy each year. All of this is why BridgeUSA programs continue to have broad bipartisan support."
The BridgeUSA programs were created alongside the Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development during the Cold War to promote the diplomatic and foreign affairs goals of the United States, which the State Department still advances in administering BridgeUSA as federal cultural exchange programs. The programs make travel to the United States possible for a broad and diverse group of international students and young people.
The resolution text can be found by clicking HERE.
This resolution has received support from several external organizations and stakeholders:
Utah-Based Organizations
Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce
Emery County Business Chamber
Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce
Cache County Chamber of Commerce
Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce
Box Elder Chamber of Commerce
Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection
Mayor Kathleen Alder, Providence City, Utah
Park City Chamber/Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ski Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
Red Lion Hotel (St. George, UT)
Ruby's Inn Inc. (Bryce Canyon City, UT)
Westgate Park City Resort & Spa (Park City, UT)
Wingate By Wyndham (Hurricane, UT)
State, Regional, and National Associations
Alliance for International Exchange
American Camp Association
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)
BioNJ
Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection
California Attractions and Parks Association
Cape May County Department of Tourism
Coalition for American Public Diplomacy and Leadership
Colorado Ski Country, USA
Commerce & Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ)
Communicating for America, Inc.
Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)
Destination Door County
EnglishUSA
Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority
HospitalityMaine
IAAPA, The Global Association for the Attractions Industry
Idaho Ski Areas Association
Inter-Mountain Ski Areas Association
Michigan Ski Areas Association
Michigan Snowsports Industries Association
Midwest Ski Areas Association
Minnesota Ski Areas Association
Monmouth-Ocean Development Council
Montana Ski Areas Association
National Defense Committee
National Ski Areas Association
NEAAPA - The Northeast's Entertainment Association
New England Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions
New Jersey Amusement Association
New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc.
New Jersey Business & Industry Association
New Jersey Campground & Oudoor Lodging Association
New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association
New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association
New Mexico Ski Areas Association
NJ Tourism Industry Association
Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association
Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association
Park City Chamber/Convention & Visitors Bureau
Pennsylvania Amusement Parks & Attractions
Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association
Pittsburgh Zoological Society
Pool and Hot Tub Alliance
Public Strategies Impact (NJPSI)
Shelby Public School District
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, LLC
Ski Areas of New York
Ski California
Ski Maine
Ski New Hampshire
Ski Utah
Southeastern Ski Areas Association
Southern New Jersey Development Council
Spencer County Visitors Bureau
TechUnited:NJ
Texas Travel Alliance
The American International Recruitment Council
The City of Wildwood, NJ
U.S. Travel Association
Vermont Ski Areas Association
Visit South Jersey
West Virginia Ski Areas Association
Western Association of Independent Camps
White Mountains Attractions Association
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
Wisconsin Ski Areas Association
Yacht Club at Sister Bay
Chambers of Commerce
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Beach Haven Chamber of Commerce
Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce
Big Sky Chamber of Commerce
Box Elder Chamber of Commerce
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB
Cache County Chamber of Commerce
Cape May County Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey
Cook County (MN) Chamber of Commerce
Eastham Chamber of Commerce
Emery County Business Chamber
Gardiner Chamber of Commerce & CVB
Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce
Greater Atlantic City Chamber
Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce
Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce
Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce
Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce
Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority
Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce
Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB
Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce
Meadowlands Regional Chamber & CVB
NJ State Chamber of Commerce
Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce
Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce
Provincetown Chamber of Commerce
Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce
Sea Isle City Chamber / Revitalization
Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce
Spencer County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Local Businesses Nationwide
123 Main Street Restaurant LLC
3 Brothers Pizza
Abundance Hospitality
Academic Language Solutions
Admiral Resort Inc
Affordable Large Properties
Albertos Ristorante
Alpengirl camp
Americana Stowaway Motel Inc
Anchor Aquatics
Anchorage by the sea
Angels Rest on Resurrection Bay LLC
Annunciation Catholic School
AquaSafe Pool Management, Inc.
Astrocamp
Autobahn Indoor Speedway
B&Y Company Inc DBA Purple Pie Place
Ballast Technologies, Inc.
Beach Mart Inc
Beach Rider Amusements
Betson
Bev & Wally Family Entertainment Center
Big Little Nine
Big Rivers Waterpark
Blessed Sacrament School
Blink’s Fry Doe
Blue Palms Motel
Blue Water Bakery
Blueberry Station
Breezemont Day Camp
Broken Sound Club
Brownies Hostel and Bakery
Cahoon's Market
Cali Camp
Cameo Pizza
Camp High Rocks
Camp Hilltop
Camp Killooleet
Camp Lakotah Inc
Camp Lee Mar
Camp Nor'wester
Camp Ocean Pines
Camp Pontiac
Camp Stonewall
Camp Vega Corporation
Camp Wawenock
Canobie Lake Park
Canoe Island French Camp
Canyon Creek Summer Camp
Caribbean Watersports
Carmel Valley Tennis Camp
Casa del Mar
Casino Beach Pier, LLC
Catalina Island Camps
Cedar Fair Entertainment
Central Pier Arcade LLC
Central Pier Raceway LLC
Challenger Sports Corporation
Cheley Colorado Camps
Classic Toy Company
Cleveland Metroparks
Cliffs Club Services
Coachlite Inn & Suites
Coastal Hospitality Associates
Cold River Mining
Comfort Inn and Suites
Costas Family Fun Park
Crystal Mountain
Cy's Deli
Daven Haven Lodge
Days Market & Deli
Daytona Inn and Suites of Wildwood
Deer Crossing Camp
Devon Yacht Club
DiOrio's Supermarket
Dishchii'bikoh Community School
Doane Family Enterprises, LP
Dollywood Parks & Resorts
DoubleTree by Hilton Galveston Beach
Ellis & Associates, Inc
F.I. Village Market Inc.
Fantasy island amusement park
Fashion Food LLC.
Five Star Parks & Attractions
Four Winds Camp
Friendly Pines Camp
Gale Force Rentals
George Brooks House B & B
Grand Beach Resort Partners
Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel
Grand Pizza
Grayfield Development LLC
Great Wolf Resorts
Hallmark Resort and Spa
Halvo Kulinary Inc.
Hampton Coffee Company
Harbor Fish Market & Grille
Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
Highgate Hotels LP
Holiday inn express
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Holtz Builders Inc.
Horizons
Hospitality Services Group
Hotel Indigo
Inn by the Sea
International Recruitment Exchange Services, Inc.
International Residence Hall (IRH)
Island Resorts
Jake's Unlimited
Jenkinson's Boardwalk
Jersey Girl Kitchen
JiLLy's Stores Ocean CIty NJ
Jim's Clam Shack
Joann's Fudge
Joey Tomato's Pizza
Kitty Hawk Kites Inc.
Kiwanda Hospitality Group
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Koerner Law Firm
Lake Erie Vacation Rentals, INc.
Lake George Steamboat Co
Lake Placid Pub & Brewery
Laura &Tony’s Kitchen
Legs Inn
Lions Camp Badger
Lodging Management Inc
Loon Reservation Service
Lorenzo Hotel
Lunisol
Main Street Market
Merani Hotel Group
Merit Fasteners
Mid Town Cafe
Mike's Seafood
Mille Feuille Bakery
Miso Hungry Ramen LLC
Moby Dick's Restaurant
Morey's Piers
Mountain Camp Woodside
Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa
MV Wine & Spirits
New England Adventure Inc., DBA Kingswood Camp
North End American Grill
North Platte Lodging
Oglebay
One Love Brewery
One To World
Orange Hospitality Group
PA Lions Beacon Lodge Camp
Palmetto Bluff
Pan American Hotel
Paradigm Homecare
Penguin Hotel Management LLC
Pheasant Park Resort
Pierce Camp Birchmont
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Port Royal Hotel
Praline LLC
Premier Pool Management, Inc
Princess Royale Resort
Purgatory Resort
R.M. Pyles Boys Camp
Rci Adventure Products
Red Lion Hotel
Red Oak Restaurant
Red River Brewing Company
Red River Ski & Summer Area
Relax Inn
Rex & Margaret Fortune School of Education
Ricciardis Italian ice
RiGi’s Amusement Center
River Valley Ranch
River Way Ranch Camp
Riversport Foundation
Ropewalk
Ruby's Inn Inc.
San Francisco Deluxe Tours
Sand `N Sea Properties
Seapointe Village Realty
Seaport Fudge
Seashell Village Resort
Seaside Country Store
Seaton Hackney Stables
Serving Smiles LLC
Shaffer's High Sierra Camp, Inc.
Shore Lodge Whitetail Club
Signature Services Corporation
Silverado-Franklin
Skylake Yosemite Camp
Soft As A Grape Inc.
Solven Hospitality Management Inc.
SomerSplash Waterpark
Southwestern Advantage
Spectrum Center Schools and Programs
St. Regis Aspen Resort
Starlight Lodge
Starlux Boutique Hotel
Stone Mountain Adventures Summer Camp
Stratous - Cultural Connections
Summer Shanty
Swan Mountain Outfitters
Teton Valley Ranch Camp
The Boardwalk Family of Restaurants
The Bonfire Restaurant
The Buttes Resort
The Center for Transportation and Commerce
The Fudgery
The Guided Tour's Seashore Program
The Inn At Warm Springs
The Lakeview Inn and Cottages
The Margate Resort
The Rangeley Inn & Tavern
The Spruce House Inc
The Verdant Hospitality Services LLC
The Vista
The Wild Burrito
The Wilderness Inn
Tiki Resort
Tocaloma Day Camp
Triangle YMCA Ranch Camp
Trimper Rides
Tripp Lake Camp
Up North
Upward Bound Camp
Village Greens Golf, Inc.
W Hotel Aspen
Wall Drug Store, Inc
Water Country
Welsh’s Motel
Westgate Park City Resort & Spa
Westwood of Marquette, Inc
White Birch Village Resort
Wildwood BID Management Corp.
Wildwood on the Lake Motel and Cottages
Wildwoods Boardwalk SID Management Corp.
Wingate By Wyndham
Wintergreen Resort
YMCA of the Rockies
Zippy’s Bikes
BridgeUSA Program Sponsors
A Cultural Exchange Service
Academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange
AFS Intercultural Programs, USA
Agent Au Pair
AIFS Foundation/AYA
Alliance Abroad Group
Alliance Strategies
American Councils for International Education
American Exchange Organization, Inc
American Hospitality Academy
American Immigration Council
American Institute For Foreign Study
AMIDEAST - Washington, DC
Amity Institute
ARISE USA
Au Pair International
CampGroup LLC
CCUSA
Center for International Career Development (CICD)
CIEE
City of Port Clinton
Communicating for Agriculture Exchange Programs (CAEP)
Cordell Hull Foundation
Council of International Programs USA
Cultural Academic Student Exchange
Cultural Care Au Pair
Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet)
Cultural Homestay International (CHI)
Cultural Vistas
Dynamic Global Exchange
Education Travel & Culture, Inc.
Educational Resource Development Trust (ERDT)
Empire State Youth Exchange
Expert AuPair
F.L.A.G., Inc.
Forte International Exchange Association
French-American Chamber of Commerce New York
High School USA
GeoVisions
Global Educational Concepts (GEC)
GreatAuPair
Greenheart International
ICCE, Inc.
Institute of Global Exchange, Inc.
InterExchange, Inc.
International Center for Language Studies
International Cultural Exchange Services
International Education and Resource Network (iEARN-USA)
International Exchange of North America
International Expert Resources
International Student Exchange
International Teacher Exchange Services LLC
Intrax Inc.
Janus International Hospitality Student Exchange
LifeTRAVELED
Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture
NorthWest Student Exchange
Odyssey International Exchange
Pan Atlantic Exchanges
Reflections International, Inc.
Rian Immigrant Center
Sagamore Institute
South Central Rotary Youth Exchange (SCRYE)
Spirit Cultural Exchange
STS Foundation
Student American International
Teachers Council, Inc.
Terra Lingua USA
The Foundation for Academic Cultural Exchange
UCEUS Corp.
United Studies, Inc
United Work and Travel
University at Buffalo
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