Chris Dodd: “I rise today with Senators Cochran, Levin, Kennedy and Akaka to introduce The International and Foreign Language Studies…”

“I rise today with Senators Cochran, Levin, Kennedy and Akaka to introduce The International and Foreign Language Studies Act of 2005. In recent years, foreign language needs have significantly increased throughout the Federal Government due to the presence of a wider range of security threats, the emergence of new nation states, and the globalization of the U.S. economy. Likewise, American business increasingly needs internationally experienced employees to compete in the global economy and to manage a culturally diverse workforce. Currently, the U.S. government requires 34,000 employees with foreign language skills across 70 Federal agencies. These agencies have stated over the last few years, that translator and interpreter shortfalls have adversely affected agency operations and hindered U.S. military, law enforcement, intelligence, and diplomatic efforts. Despite our growing needs, the number of undergraduate foreign language degrees conferred is only one percent of all degrees. Only one third of undergraduates report that they are taking foreign language courses and only 11 percent report that they have studied abroad.…”