[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 363 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 363

Supporting continued United States and Taiwan cooperation in education.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 26 (legislative day, September 22), 2023

  Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Mr. Markey) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting continued United States and Taiwan cooperation in education.

Whereas Mandarin is the second most spoken language in the world with more than 
        1,000,000,000 speakers;
Whereas Mandarin is a critical language that is essential to United States 
        national security and prosperity, as identified by the Department of 
        State Critical Language Scholarship Program;
Whereas learning a foreign language benefits students academically and improves 
        critical thinking, communication, and knowledge of different cultures;
Whereas the internet has made it easier for companies to serve a global market 
        and employers report favoring candidates who can speak a foreign 
        language;
Whereas, in December 2020, the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, a two-way 
        educational exchange between the two countries, was created--

    (1) to expand opportunities for students from the United States to 
learn Mandarin from Taiwanese teachers;

    (2) to promote United States educators choosing Taiwan as a destination 
to teach English; and

    (3) to deepen educational cooperation between the United States and 
Taiwan;

Whereas the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative coincides with widespread closures 
        of Confucius Institutes in the United States and around the world;
Whereas there continues to be high student demand for studies relating to 
        Mandarin language, culture, and history delivered in a censorship and 
        coercion-free environment; and
Whereas, due to continuing political, economic, and security challenges, there 
        is a need for continued access to the Mandarin language and expertise in 
        Taiwan affairs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative; and
            (2) encourages--
                    (A) institutions of higher education to continue 
                partnering with Taiwan in order to meet the demand for 
                Mandarin instruction and learning programs;
                    (B) schools, school districts, and State and local 
                educational agencies to host teacher exchange programs, 
                such as those offered by the Department of State 
                Teachers of Critical Language Program; and
                    (C) United States teachers to choose Taiwan as a 
                destination to learn Mandarin and to teach English, 
                particularly through the J. William Fulbright 
                Educational Exchange Program.
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