[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 148 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 148

Supporting the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day in 
   bringing attention to the importance of preserving linguistic and 
                  cultural heritage through education.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 21, 2023

    Ms. Meng (for herself, Mr. Carson, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mr. 
  Grijalva, Ms. Norton, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Sablan, and Ms. Titus) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                    on Oversight and Accountability

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day in 
   bringing attention to the importance of preserving linguistic and 
                  cultural heritage through education.

Whereas the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization 
        (UNESCO) established International Mother Language Day on November 17, 
        1999, to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism;
Whereas the annual International Mother Language Day celebration date, February 
        21, was chosen to commemorate the day in 1952 in Bangladesh when 
        students died demonstrating for recognition of Bengali as a national 
        language of Pakistan;
Whereas UNESCO establishes a different theme for the annual celebration of 
        International Mother Language Day each year, promoting various aspects 
        of linguistic education;
Whereas 2022 marked the first year of UNESCO's Decade of Indigenous Languages, 
        intended to raise awareness of the critical loss of indigenous languages 
        and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize, and celebrate them;
Whereas according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger, out of 
        the over 7,000 existing languages in the world, at least 230 have become 
        extinct since 1950, approximately 2,473 other languages are classified 
        as ``endangered'', and approximately 3,000 languages could disappear 
        before the end of the century;
Whereas the United States Census Bureau has identified approximately 350 
        languages spoken in the United States, at least 150 of which are 
        distinct Native North American languages;
Whereas according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger, 280 
        Native North American languages were spoken in the continental United 
        States when the Europeans arrived and more than 115 are already extinct, 
        with many more critically endangered; and
Whereas the United States enjoys a rich and diverse cultural heritage and 
        preserving existing languages is an essential piece to preserving this 
        heritage: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of International Mother 
        Language Day; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        International Mother Language Day with appropriate ceremonies, 
        programs, and activities.
                                 <all>