[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 70 (Thursday, May 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF U.S.-CHINA LANGUAGE ENGAGEMENT ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 7, 2009

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act of 2009--a bill to close the 
knowledge deficit when it comes to our relationship with China.
  It is little news to anyone that China is on the rise. With a 
population of over 1.3 billion people and the second largest economy in 
the world when measured by domestic purchasing power parity, China is 
poised to become a world power, economically, diplomatically, and 
militarily.
  Yet at a time when China's influence on the world stage is 
increasing, our national understanding of the ``Middle Kingdom'' has 
not kept pace.
  While an estimated 200 million Chinese school children are studying 
our language and culture, less than 50,000 American elementary and 
secondary students are studying Chinese.
  The goal of the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act is to provide our 
schools with the resources they need to offer Chinese language 
instruction and cultural studies classes.
  This important legislation would instruct the Department of Education 
to offer competitive grants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to 
develop and implement innovative Chinese language and cultural studies 
programs.
  LEAs, in collaboration with institutions of higher education, may use 
grant funds to carry out intensive summer Chinese language instruction, 
link bilingual Chinese and English speakers with students and conduct 
virtual cultural exchanges with educational institutions in China.
  This bill is part of a broader legislative package seeking to improve 
our competitive edge and relationship with China.
  Some may view China's resurgence as a threat. But today, Madam 
Speaker, I ask you to turn China's rise into an opportunity for United 
States citizens.
  Through careful diplomacy, I believe China can become not only a 
competitor but also a partner. But we cannot have this dialogue if we 
cannot understand the Chinese people.
  This is why I come before you today: to ask for your help in ensuring 
that the lines of communication between the United States and China 
stay open. Please support the U.S.-China Language Engagement Act and 
help bridge the language barrier and cross the cultural gap between 
future generations of Americans and the Chinese.

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