111TH CONGRESS LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
Concerning Foreign Language and International Education
2009-2010
Compiled by Ashley L. Lenker, Program Manager, JNCL-NCLIS
Source: The Library of Congress: THOMAS


FIRST SESSION (2009)

 

Title & Sponsor	Purpose	Status
H.CON.RES.3 English Plus Resolution Rep. Jose E. Serrano (D-NY) 1/6/2009	(CRS Summary): Declares that the U.S. Government should pursue English-plus policies that: (1) encourage all residents of this country to become fully proficient in English by expanding educational opportunities and access to information technologies; (2) conserve and develop the nation's linguistic resources by encouraging all residents of this country to learn or maintain skills in languages other than English; (3) assist Native Americans, Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians, and other peoples indigenous to the United States in their efforts to prevent the extinction of their languages and cultures; (4) continue to provide services in languages other than English as needed to facilitate access to essential functions of government, promote public health and safety, ensure due process, promote equal educational opportunity, and protect fundamental rights; and (5) recognize the importance of multilingualism to vital American interests and individual rights, and oppose English-only measures and other restrictionist language measures.	Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor
H.R.597 Access to Complete Education Act Rep. Lynn C. Woosley (D-CA) 1/15/2009	(CRS Summary): This bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to promote and strengthen as an integral part of the curriculum one or more of the subjects of music and arts, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, history, geography, and physical education and health. Gives priority to LEAs that have the greatest numbers or percentages of children from families below the poverty line. Requires grantees to coordinate, to the extent practicable, their programs to promote or strengthen education in such subjects with opportunities provided by public or private cultural entities, including museums, education associations, libraries, and theaters.	Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. Cosponsor(s): 2
H.R.997 English Language Unity Act of 2009 Rep. Steve King (R-IA) 2/11/2009	To declare English as the official language of the United States.	Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor Cosponsor(s): 108

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