[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.

                          ____________________