FYI: HR 3676 (with commissioned research study on heritage learners)

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On December 8, 2003, Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) introduced legislation,
the National Security Language Act, HR 3676, which would increase federal
investment in foreign language education, specifically in languages of
critical need to national security.

Of the five major components of the legislation, one calls for the
commissioning of a "National Study of Foreign Language Heritage Communities
and Federal Marketing Campaign." The purpose of this study would be to
"identify heritage communities here in the US with native speakers of
critical foreign languages and make them targets of a federal marketing
campaign encouraging students to pursue those degrees." This is NOT the same
study that has been included as part of the Title VI reauthorization bill
(HR 3077), first reported on this list on 8 October of this year.

HR 3676 has 35 bi-partisan original cosponsors and has been referred to the
House Education and Workforce Committee, and the Select Committees on the
Armed Services and Intelligence.

Further information, including a complete copy of the bill, may be found at
Representative Holt's website of

http://www.holt.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=7633