Support of the Fulbright Program

"We often hear our leaders speak about ‘soft power’ and winning with ideas, not bullets. But our national budget tells a far different story. The Fulbright Scholarship Program, for example, is the epitome of soft power. The new administration has a strategic opportunity to rebalance American power. A strong military is clearly a priority, but we can do more for our strategic good with just a small slice of that hard power money. Expanding Fulbright, SCUSA and other outreach and exchange programs are wise strategic investments in rebuilding America’s soft power. They make both strategic and financial sense.”                                                                                                                                                                                            —Col. David Tohn, Iraq war veteran, in the "Miami Herald,” Feb. 9, 2009

"Whether you are representing the United States of America or representing your country to the U.S., your contributions are invaluable. The work you do to advance education, research, and mutual understanding of cultures and religions truly benefits the global community. Thank you for making such a positive impact.”                                                              —Representative Betty McCollum (MN-4), Letter to Fulbrighters in Minnesota, Sept. 10, 2009

"Title VI and the Fulbright-Hays programs have had a tremendous impact to our nation over the years by developing a strong foundation in international education, research and foreign language studies, especially in less-commonly taught languages that may be of U.S. strategic interest. These programs continue to be an integral part of our cultural diplomacy.” —Senators Richard G. Lugar (IN) and Christopher J. Dodd (CT), Dear Colleague Letter, Mar. 2009

"The learning, empathy, and exchange of ideas that are fostered through the Fulbright Program engage students and graduates in ways that cannot be measured by facts and figures. The Fulbright Program is truly a beacon of light for many people around the world.”                                                                                                                                               —Representative Dave Loebsack (IA-02) (Mexico 1983, Brazil 1987), Letter to Fulbrighters in Iowa, June, 2009

"Visitors to America—particularly students—and even their families and friends, have more positive views about America than non-visitors by 10 percentage points.”                                                                                                                                  Source: "The Decline in America’s Reputation: Why?” House Committee on Foreign Affairs, 2008

In 2009, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative arm of the U.S. Congress, announced...that improving America's image abroad is on its list of 13 urgent issues. The GAO recommended a State Department-led strategy to expand and coordinate interagency public diplomacy efforts.

Voices of America: U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century, a 2008 report by the Brookings Institution, discussed several recommendations for the new administration. Among them is a call to triple the number of Fulbright awards from 3,200 to 10,000 awards per year.

http://www.fulbright.org/sites/default/files/Supporting%20the%20Fulbright%20Program.pdf