Supporting the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day in bringing attention to the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural heritage through education.

Bill: 116-hres-139
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2019-02-19
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Foreign language and bilingual programs

Historical and cultural resources

Language arts
Latest action: action_date: 2019-02-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-02-19
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution&nbsp;expresses support for&nbsp;the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day. </p>

tv_txt: IV 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 139 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 19, 2019 Ms. Meng (for herself, Mr. McGovern , Mr. Grijalva , and Ms. Haaland ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day in bringing attention to the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural heritage through education.

Whereas the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999, to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism; Whereas the annual International Mother Language Day celebration date, February 21, was chosen to commemorate the day in 1952 in Bangladesh where students died demonstrating for recognition of Bengali as a national language of Pakistan; Whereas UNESCO establishes a different theme for the annual celebration of International Mother Language Day each year, promoting various aspects of linguistic education; Whereas according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, out of the over 6,000 existing languages in the world, more than 200 have become extinct during the last three generations, and 2,279 other languages are classified as endangered ; Whereas the United States Census Bureau has identified at least 381 languages spoken in the United States, 169 of which are distinct Native American languages; Whereas according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, 145 languages in the United States are classified as endangered ; and Whereas the United States enjoys a rich and diverse cultural heritage and preserving existing languages is an essential piece to preserving this heritage: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe International Mother Language Day with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.