U.S. Senate Resolution Designates 2006 as Year of Study Abroad

On November 10, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating 2006 as the “Year of Study Abroad.” The resolution, introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), encourages initiatives to promote and expand study abroad opportunities. The resolution was also co-sponsored by Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.), Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).

The resolution:

1. Designates 2006 as the “Year of Study Abroad”.
2. Encourages secondary schools, higher education institutions, businesses, and government programs to promote and expand study abroad opportunities.
   
3. Encourages Americans to:
   
   • support initiatives to promote and expand study abroad opportunities.
   • observe the “Year of Study Abroad with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities.

NAFSA worked closely with Sen. Durbin’s office on the legislation and applauds this recognition of the importance of study abroad. We have been lining up a number of activities and projects in anticipation that this might occur, and members will be getting more information shortly.

View the full text of Senate Resolution 308 (28kb ) declaring 2006 as the “Year of Study Abroad" (available through the Government Printing Office's Web site).