Fulbright–Hays Act of 1961

Fulbright–Hays Act of 1961
Long title	An Act to provide for the improvement and strengthening of the international relations of the United States by promoting better mutual understanding among the peoples of the world through educational and cultural exchanges.
Acronyms (colloquial)	MECEA
Nicknames	Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961
Enacted by	the 87th United States Congress
Effective	September 21, 1961
Citations
Public law	87–256
Statutes at Large	75 Stat. 527
Codification
Titles amended	22 U.S.C.: Foreign Relations and Intercourse
U.S.C. sections amended	22 U.S.C. ch. 33 § 2451 et seq.
Legislative history
	Introduced in the House as H.R. 8666 by Wayne Hays (D–OH) on August 31, 1961; Committee consideration by House Foreign Affairs, Senate Foreign Relations; Passed the Senate on July 14, 1961 (79-5, in lieu of S. 1154); Passed the House on September 6, 1961 (329-66); Reported by the joint conference committee on September 15, 1961; agreed to by the Senate on September 15, 1961 (Agreed) and by the House on September 16, 1961 (Agreed); Signed into law by President John F. Kennedy on September 21, 1961 ;

The Fulbright–Hays Act of 1961 is officially known as the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Pub. L. 87–256, 75 Stat. 527). It was marshalled by United States Senator J. William Fulbright (D-AR) and passed by the 87th United States Congress on September 16, 1961, the same month the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and Peace Corps Act of 1961 were enacted.

The legislation was enacted into law by President John F. Kennedy on September 21, 1961.