IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 122 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the study 

of languages and supporting the designation of a Year of Languages. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 

Mr. HOLT (for himself and Mr. TIBERI) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the study of languages and supporting the designation of a Year of Languages. 

Whereas the people of the United States have growing social, 

cultural, and economic ties to the international community that present new challenges as the United States 

seeks to communicate with and understand international 

partners from different language and cultural backgrounds; 

Whereas communities across the United States are welcoming 

many new neighbors, friends, employees, and citizens 

from many countries throughout the world; 

Whereas increased language learning is a critical national interest and is necessary to maintain the economic edge the 

United States has in the worldwide marketplace; 
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•HRES 122 IH 

Whereas developing a workforce that is skilled in languages 

and cultural understanding is vital for conducting international commerce; 

Whereas both the 2000 Cox Commission and the National Intelligence Council have reported that a shortfall of experts in foreign languages, particularly the languages of 

Asia and the Middle East, has seriously hampered information gathering and analysis within the intelligence 

community of the United States; 

Whereas studying other languages has been shown to contribute to increased cognitive skills, better academic performance, and a greater understanding of others, while 

also providing life-long learning opportunities; 

Whereas language education in the 21st century includes a 

commitment to the study of long sequences of world languages, beginning in early grades and continuing 

throughout the academic career of an individual, in order 

to develop the levels of proficiency needed to effectively 

communicate with people from other cultures at home 

and abroad; and 

Whereas the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign 

Languages, along with its affiliate organizations, is urging the public to support increased language education 

for students, which will expand the cultural and literary 

horizons of adult learners and strengthen the position 

and security of the United States throughout the world: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that— 
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1 (1) the study of languages contributes to the in2 tellectual and social development of a student and 

3 the economy and security of the United States; 

4 (2) there should be a Year of Languages in the 

5 United States, during which language study is pro6 moted and expanded in elementary schools, sec7 ondary schools, institutions of higher education, 

8 businesses, and government programs; and 

9 (3) the President should issue a proclamation 

10 calling upon the people of the United States to— 

11 (A) encourage and support initiatives to 

12 promote and expand the study of languages; 

13 and 

14 (B) observe a Year of Languages with ap15 propriate ceremonies, programs, and other ac16 tivities. 

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