American Councils for International Education joins the international community in mourning former Senator Richard Lugar, who died Sunday at the age of 87.
The longest serving senator in Indiana’s history, Mr. Lugar dedicated much of his 36-year career to foreign policy, advocating for nuclear non-proliferation and twice serving as the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
In the wake of 9/11, he and the late Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy co-sponsored the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. The high school exchange program fosters positive relationships among young people from countries with significant Muslim populations while they spend a year living and studying in America, sharing their countries and cultures with Americans.
The reciprocal YES Abroad program, which began in 2009, sends American high school students to experience life with a host family abroad.
To date, more than 12,000 students from around the world have spent a year living with a host family and attending high school in America. More than 800 students will join those alumni ranks later this year, after an end-of-year reception on Capitol Hill that is treated like an exchange year graduation ceremony.
Mr. Lugar was an honored guest and speaker at these annual events, telling stories of his first trip abroad as a Rhodes Scholar and sharing encouraging words about finding ways to unite people from around the world.
“It is our responsibility in this modern, globalized world to gain an understanding of the similarities that unite people from all over the world and the bridges that can be built between our countries,” he said in his address to YES students in 2016. “These students, along with their American classmates who have learned as much or even more from them, are the future leaders of their communities, nations, and the world, and I wish them every continuing success from this graduation day forward.”
His speech usually received the loudest applause, and there was always a line of students waiting for a quick word or photo with the late senator after he spoke. He indulged as many photos, handshakes, and smiles as he could at each event, American Councils staff recalled.
Lisa Choate, executive vice president at American Councils, met Mr. Lugar in 2003, the first year of the YES program.
“We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends who hold Senator Lugar dear. The international education community feels the profound loss of Senator Lugar, but we are comforted in knowing that the impact of the YES and YES Abroad programs will continue to flourish,” she said. “Through these cultural exchange programs, his legacy will continue to walk the halls of American high schools, explore new friendships abroad, and reinforce the bridges of friendship made possible through Senator Lugar’s support.”
