LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating NAFSA: Association of Interna-
tional Educators on celebrating its 61st Anniversary, and recognizing
the importance of international education

WHEREAS, NAFSA: Association of International Educators will celebrate
its 61st Anniversary in 2009, as the largest organization focusing on
international education with nearly 10,000 members nationwide; and
WHEREAS, National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA):
Association of International Educators serves international educators
and their institutions and organizations by setting standards of good
practice, providing training and professional development opportunities,
providing networking opportunities, and advocating for international
education; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of interna-
tional education within its own educational institutions along with
other members of NAFSA: Association of International Educators in New
York State, and urges for an international education policy that will
aid in the expansion of participation; and
WHEREAS, The world has become increasingly interconnected through
advances in technology and transportation, and a global perspective is
critical in facing the challenges of the 21st Century; and
WHEREAS, Providing the future leaders of New York with the broadest
possible education will significantly impact our national security,
foreign policy, economic competitiveness, economic revenue and capacity
for tolerance; and
WHEREAS, International education includes expanding foreign language
curricula and academic programs that address global issues and examine
other cultures; and
WHEREAS, Today, the development of new knowledge and the best research
and technological breakthroughs require international collaboration; and
WHEREAS, Universities, colleges and schools should be encouraged to
introduce all New York students to other cultures, foreign languages and
global issues, and to provide opportunities to study abroad which will
enrich students' perspectives as well as aid in their personal develop-
ment; and
WHEREAS, Evidence of the growing connection between the State of New
York and the rest of the world can be found in the Institute of Interna-
tional Education's Open Doors Report 2006/2007; and
WHEREAS, New York State ranked second in the nation with a total
number of 64,238 foreign students studying here for the 2006 academic
year; these foreign students and their families contributed more than
$1.9 billion to New York's economy; and
WHEREAS, Qualified students and faculty members from other countries
should be encouraged to study in New York to further the free exchange
of ideas and to facilitate an appreciation of different cultures; and
WHEREAS, The emphasis on international education in the State of New
York will strengthen global understanding and build an even stronger
foundation for the future of this nation; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of interna-
tional education and encourages New York institutions of higher educa-
tion and all other educational institutions of learning to meet the
challenges of a global society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate NAFSA: Association of International Educators on celebrat-
ing its 61st Anniversary and to recognize the importance of interna-
tional education; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.