[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 86 (Thursday, June 12, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7844-S7845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 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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