[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 170 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 170
Designating the years 2004 and 2005 as ``Years of Foreign Language
Study''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 12, 2003
Mr. Dodd (for himself and Mr. Cochran) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating the years 2004 and 2005 as ``Years of Foreign Language
Study''.
Whereas according to the 2000 decennial census of the population, 9.3 percent of
Americans speak both their native language and another language
fluently;
Whereas according to the European Commission Directorate General for Education
and Culture, 52.7 percent of Europeans speak both their native language
and another language fluently;
Whereas the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 names foreign
language study as part of a core curriculum that includes English,
mathematics, science, civics, economics, arts, history, and geography;
Whereas according to the Joint Center for International Language, foreign
language study increases a student's cognitive and critical thinking
abilities;
Whereas according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages,
foreign language study increases a student's ability to compare and
contrast cultural concepts;
Whereas according to a 1992 report by the College Entrance Examination Board,
students with 4 or more years in foreign language study scored higher on
the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than students
who did not;
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 labels foreign language study as vital
to secure the future economic welfare of the United States in a growing
international economy;
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 recommends encouraging businesses and
foreign language study programs to work in a mutually productive
relationship which benefits the Nation's future economic interest;
Whereas according to the Centers for International Business Education and
Research program, foreign language study provides the ability to both
gain a comprehensive understanding of and interact with the cultures of
United States trading partners, and thus establishes a solid foundation
for successful economic relationships;
Whereas Report 107-592 of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives concludes that American multinational
corporations and nongovernmental organizations do not have the people
with the foreign language abilities and cultural exposure that are
needed.
Whereas the 2001 Hart-Rudman Report on National Security in the 21st Century
names foreign language study and requisite knowledge in languages as
vital for the Federal Government to meet 21st century security
challenges properly and effectively;
Whereas the American intelligence community stresses that individuals with
proper foreign language expertise are greatly needed to work on
important national security and foreign policy issues, especially in
light of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001;
Whereas a 1998 study conducted by the National Foreign Language Center concludes
that inadequate resources existed for the development, publication,
distribution, and teaching of critical foreign languages (such as
Arabic, Vietnamese, and Thai) because of low student enrollment in the
United States; and
Whereas a shortfall of experts in foreign languages has seriously hampered
information gathering and analysis within the American intelligence
community as demonstrated by the 2000 Cox Commission noting shortfalls
in Chinese proficiency, and the National Intelligence Council citing
deficiencies in Central Eurasian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern
languages: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF YEARS OF LANGUAGE.
(a) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that
foreign language study makes important contributions to a student's
cognitive development, our national economy, and our national security.
(b) Designation and Proclamation.--The Senate--
(1) designates the years 2004 and 2005 as ``Years of
Foreign Language Study'', during which foreign language study
is promoted and expanded in elementary schools, secondary
schools, institutions of higher learning, businesses, and
government programs; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling upon the people of the United States to--
(A) encourage and support initiatives to promote
and expand the study of foreign languages; and
(B) observe the ``Years of Foreign Language Study''
with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other
activities.
<all>