On the recordFebruary 26, 2015
Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentlewoman for offering this amendment, even though I am opposed to it. Being bilingual, multilingual, is clearly a helpful skill and much sought in the private sector and in government. I think back to my days in school, and at one time I was conversant, if not fluent, in both Spanish and German, and now I can barely read the menu--or speisekarte--having let that lapse. I just do not think we need yet another Federal program, and the gentlewoman's amendment authorizes another $10 million for this program to get a government seal of approval. I think the students can speak, read, and write for themselves and should be encouraged to learn those languages, become proficient, stay proficient, but the last thing they need is the Federal Government creating yet another program to determine what certifies them as bilingual. So while I certainly agree with the gentlelady's emphasis on the importance of being bilingual or multilingual, I nevertheless must oppose her amendment and encourage my colleagues to oppose the amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.
