[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5681-H5683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING TITLE VI INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 126) recognizing the 50th
anniversary of Title VI international education programs within the
Department of Education, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 126
Whereas the International Education Programs Services
(IEPS) located in the U.S. Department of Education's Office
of Post Secondary Education, manages 14 international
education programs;
Whereas the International Education and Foreign Language
Studies domestic programs are designed to strengthen the
capability and performance of American education in foreign
languages and in area and international studies;
Whereas overseas programs are intended to improve secondary
and postsecondary teaching and research concerning other
cultures and languages, training of specialists, and
[[Page H5682]]
the American public's general understanding of people of
other countries;
Whereas 10 of the programs are authorized under Title VI of
the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and 4 are
authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange
Act (Fulbright-Hays Act) of 1961;
Whereas Title VI was originally authorized as Title VI of
the National Defense Education Act of 1958 as a response to
launch of the Sputnik and the United States Government's
recognition that a stronger and broader capacity in foreign
language and area studies was needed;
Whereas Title VI was later incorporated in the Higher
Education Act of 1965;
Whereas three programs that were included in the original
1958 legislation continue today as the National Resource
Centers (NRC) program, the Foreign Language and Area Studies
Fellowship (FLAS) program, and the International Research and
Studies (IRS) program;
Whereas over time, additional programs have been added to
Title VI to address the Nation's growing interest in
international education; and
Whereas Title VI programs now address business needs for
international expertise, strengthening undergraduate
education, international as well as area studies, advancement
of technology use, overall improvement of foreign language
training and assessment, and helps to prepare students for
public service careers, including within the defense and
intelligence agencies, and the foreign service: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Title VI international
education programs; and
(2) recognizes the need to continue development and
promotion of international educational programs.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.
General Leave
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during
which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous materials on
House Concurrent Resolution 126 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 126, which
recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Title VI international education
programs within the Department of Education. Under the Office of
Postsecondary Education, the International Education Programs Service,
IEPS, manages a total of 14 such programs. These programs provide
grants to individuals, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit
organizations to build and strengthen international cooperation and
enrich our students' cultural experiences.
International education has long been an important part of
strengthening the capability and performance of American educational
programs in foreign languages and in area and international study.
International education programs also help our Nation's students,
teachers, and researchers interact with other cultures and languages,
train our specialists, and inform general understanding of peoples of
other countries. On the 50th anniversary of the Title VI programs, we
honor the contributions and benefits of international education
programs to science, culture, government, and business.
International education programs were originally authorized as Title
VI of the National Defense Education Act of 1958, in part as a response
to the launch of Sputnik and with the recognition that a stronger and
broader engagement with foreign language and area studies would
strengthen American national security.
{time} 1420
Title VI was later incorporated into the Higher Education Act of 1965
and has continued to evolve to meet the needs of today's students. A
well-rounded international education is also critically important to a
globally competitive workforce. Title VI program grants help address
business needs for international expertise, strengthen undergraduate
education and research at National Research Centers, and improve
foreign language training and assessment at Language Resource Centers.
In the academic setting, institutions have used title VI grants to
establish or operate overseas research centers, support more than 800
graduate fellowships in foreign languages and area studies, and improve
business curriculums, especially as it concerns U.S. trade and global
competitiveness.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Watson for introducing
this resolution, and once again express support for House Concurrent
Resolution 126, which recognizes the 50th anniversary of title VI
international education programs within the Department of Education.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 126, recognizing the
50th anniversary of title VI international education programs within
the Department of Education.
Title VI was originally authorized as title VI of the National
Defense Act in 1958 in response to the launch of Sputnik and the U.S.
Government's recognition that a stronger and broader capacity in
foreign language and area studies was needed to create a body of
experts competent in foreign languages and cultures who could serve the
government, especially our defense and intelligence agencies and the
Foreign Service.
Three programs that were included in the original 1958 legislation
continue today as the National Resource Centers program, the Foreign
Language and Area Studies Fellowship program, and the International
Research and Studies program. These programs support language area
centers for expansion of postsecondary instruction in languages that
are less commonly taught, as well as foreign language fellowships,
research supporting language learning methodology, and language
institutes to provide advanced language and training.
Over time, additional programs have been added to title VI in order
to address the Nation's growing interest in international education.
Title VI programs also help to address business needs for international
expertise, strengthening undergraduate education, international as well
as area studies, advancement of technology use, and overall improvement
of foreign language training and assessment.
Today, as intended by the program's creators, title VI programs help
to provide for our national defense by ensuring a Federal investment in
ensuring a supply of citizens with international expertise. Title VI
programs help to support American experts in, and citizens' knowledge
about, world regions, foreign languages, and international affairs, as
well as those with a strong research base in these areas.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 126,
recognizing the 50th anniversary of Title VI international education
programs within the Department of Education.
Since the terror attacks of 9/11 it is indispensable that we continue
to strive to develop leaders, educators, foreign policy experts and
individuals in matters of world affairs through research and specialty
training in international affairs. Moreover, it is imperative that we
continue to expand educational programs that will create opportunities
for greater diversity in our knowledge of other nations. Such
advancements will further equip citizens and experts within the United
States with the necessary tools to contribute to national security and
world development.
Every day our world changes and Title VI has played an important role
in helping the United States respond to these changing events in a
culturally sensitive manner. Therefore, I encourage my colleagues to
support this resolution and support the goals and ideals of Title VI
international education programs and recognize the need to continue
development and promotion of these programs.
Mr. GUTHRIE. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I again express support for House
Concurrent Resolution 126, which recognizes the 50th anniversary of
title VI international education programs within the Department of
Education. And I appreciate the support from the other side of the
aisle on this resolution as well. I urge my colleagues to support this
resolution.
[[Page H5683]]
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 126, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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