Congressional Record: June 12, 2003 (Senate)
Page S7844-S7845



 SENATE RESOLUTION 170--DESIGNATING THE YEARS 2004 AND 2005 AS "YEARS
                      OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY"

  Mr. DODD (for himself and Mr. Cochran) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 170

       Whereas according to the European Commission Directorate
     General for Education

[[Page S7845]]

     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.

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