The Federal Government must partner with schools, colleges, and the private sector to address this ongoing challenge at its root cause.

I am a big advocate of language training.

I have always felt the diversity of our country is its strength.

Last year, we marked the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This tragic event exposed our Nation's language shortfalls.

How will cuts in the Department of Education's language and international programs affect your efforts to build and maintain your Department's language capabilities?

As Chairman of the Subcommittee, I have held seven oversight hearings that emphasized the need to build the Federal Government's foreign language skills.

We believe in a core curriculum. We believe in foreign language, and we also believe in a readiness audit.

I should tell you that I am a World War II veteran; and during that time, I served in the Pacific.

The Federal trust relationship that exists between the Federal Government and the Indian Tribe goes back to the very first days of this Country.

I rise today to introduce the Save More Tomorrow Act of 2012. This act seeks to make a modest, commonsense modification to the Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP, which is the tax- deferred, defined contribution plan for Federal employees…

I had a rare experience of speaking with 10 university presidents across the country.

Mahalo nui loa. Thank you very much for your responses, for especially the work that you have been doing...

I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on May 17, 2012 in room SD 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building at 2:15 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Fulfilling the Federal Trust Responsibility: The…

I am really very honored and fortunate to be working for Secretary Shinseki, who, as you know, sir, is a true leader in moving forward in an institution like VA.

I am hoping we can again expand that and begin to have definite programs.

None of us can afford to do it alone. We need to get in the canoe together, as you would say.

We really need that.

There is no way you can transform the department to better serve our veterans if you do not invest in your employees.

I am proud to once again introduce legislation addressing the health care disparities in racial and ethnic minority communities, the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2012. I would like to thank my cosponsor, Senator Inouye, along…

I rise today in support of S. 1925, the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization of 2011. Since its enactment in 1994, VAWA has enhanced the investigation and prosecution of incidents of domestic and sexual violence and provided critical…

I call up my amendment No. 2049. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Akaka] proposes an amendment numbered 2049.

I ask for a voice vote. Mr. DeMINT. Mr. President, I object. I would like a rollcall vote. I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The question is on…

I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To allow supervisory and other managerial organizations to…

I have serious concerns with the FECA provisions in this bill, especially since they would reduce benefits for many employees who were already injured while working in service to this country, such as Federal firefighters, FBI agents…

I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To provide appropriate workers compensation for Federal…