[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 146 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1760-E1761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of International 
Education Week which is a joint initiative created by the U.S. 
Department of State and U.S. Department of Education 12 years ago and, 
as of today, is celebrated in more than 100 countries. Schools 
throughout the United States and the world are celebrating this week to 
promote and celebrate the benefits of international education and 
global exchange.
  I saw firsthand the value of building international relationships 
during my time with the Peace Corps. Learning a foreign language opens 
minds to other worlds, builds lasting positive relationships, and has 
been scientifically proven to generate more flexibility in thinking--
something we are in great need of today. During all of my years 
representing the Central Coast of California, I have been an ardent 
supporter of culturally-based foreign language education within our 
schools, universities, and within our government institutions. Our 
future leaders must have strong global skills which are best attained 
by learning a foreign language and by studying or volunteering abroad. 
I am proud to say that Monterey, California, in particular is a great 
talent bank rich in foreign language and cultural expertise thanks in 
much part to our secondary school

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teachers, the Monterey Institute of International Studies, the Defense 
Language Institute, the Joint Foreign Area Officers program at the 
Naval Post Graduate School, and the National Virtual Translation 
Center.
  Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the Secretary of State Hilary 
Clinton and the Secretary of Education Arne Duncan would agree with me 
that to compete in today's global economy, students need an 
international education paired with studying foreign languages. The 
State Department and the Department of Education should be commended 
for developing and supporting International Education Week.

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