III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 28 

Designating the year 2005 as the ‘‘Year of Foreign Language Study’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 1, 2005 

Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. AKAKA, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mr. HAGEL, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. ISAKSON, Ms. LANDRIEU, 

and Mr. SARBANES) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION

Designating the year 2005 as the ‘‘Year of Foreign 

Language Study’’.

Whereas according to the 2000 decennial census of the population, 9.3 percent of Americans speak both their native 

language and another language fluently; 

Whereas according to the European Commission Directorate 

General for Education and Culture, 52.7 percent of Europeans speak both their native language and another 

language fluently; 

Whereas the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 

1965 names foreign language study as part of a core cur-
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SRES 28 ATS 

riculum that includes English, mathematics, science, 

civics, economics, arts, history, and geography; 

Whereas according to the Joint Center for International Language, foreign language study increases a student’s cognitive and critical thinking abilities; 

Whereas according to the American Council on the Teaching 

of Foreign Languages, foreign language study increases 

a student’s ability to compare and contrast cultural concepts; 

Whereas according to a 1992 report by the College Entrance 

Examination Board, students with 4 or more years in 

foreign language study scored higher on the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than students 

who did not; 

Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 labels foreign 

language study as vital to secure the future economic 

welfare of the United States in a growing international 

economy; 

Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 recommends encouraging businesses and foreign language study programs to work in a mutually productive relationship 

which benefits the Nation’s future economic interest; 

Whereas according to the Centers for International Business 

Education and Research program, foreign language study 

provides the ability both to gain a comprehensive understanding of and to interact with the cultures of United 

States trading partners, and thus establishes a solid 

foundation for successful economic relationships; 

Whereas Report 107–592 of the Permanent Select Committee 

on Intelligence of the House of Representatives concludes 

that American multinational corporations and nongovern-
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mental organizations do not have the people with the foreign language abilities and cultural exposure that are 

needed; 

Whereas the 2001 Hart-Rudman Report on National Security in the 21st Century names foreign language study 

and requisite knowledge in languages as vital for the 

Federal Government to meet 21st century security challenges properly and effectively; 

Whereas the American intelligence community stresses that 

individuals with proper foreign language expertise are 

greatly needed to work on important national security 

and foreign policy issues, especially in light of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; 

Whereas a 1998 study conducted by the National Foreign 

Language Center concludes that inadequate resources existed for the development, publication, distribution, and 

teaching of critical foreign languages (such as Arabic, Vietnamese, and Thai) because of low student enrollment in 

the United States; and 

Whereas a shortfall of experts in foreign languages has seriously hampered information gathering and analysis within the American intelligence community as demonstrated 

by the 2000 Cox Commission noting shortfalls in Chinese 

proficiency, and the National Intelligence Council citing 

deficiencies in Central Eurasian, East Asian, and Middle 

Eastern languages: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That— 

2 (1) it is the sense of the Senate that foreign 

3 language study makes important contributions to a 
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1 student’s cognitive development, our national econ2 omy, and our national security; 

3 (2) the Senate— 

4 (A) designates the year 2005 as the ‘‘Year 

5 of Foreign Language Study’’, during which for6 eign language study is promoted and expanded 

7 in elementary schools, secondary schools, insti8 tutions of higher learning, businesses, and gov9 ernment programs; and 

10 (B) requests that the President issue a 

11 proclamation calling upon the people of the 

12 United States to— 

13 (i) encourage and support initiatives 

14 to promote and expand the study of for15 eign languages; and 

16 (ii) observe the ‘‘Year of Foreign Lan17 guage Study’’ with appropriate ceremonies, 

18 programs, and other activities.

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