July 12, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 117 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020

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                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2019

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2500) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2020 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     such fiscal year, and for other purposes:

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the en 
bloc amendment, which includes my bipartisan World Language Advancement 
and Readiness amendment cosponsored by Representatives Don Young, Gil 
Cisneros, Rick Larsen, Jimmy Panetta, Jim Langevin, and Seth Moulton.
  Our amendment would direct the DoD to award three-year competitive 
grants to Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools and 
to local education agencies (LEAs) that host a Junior Reserve Officers' 
Training Corps (JROTC) program for the establishment, improvement, or 
expansion of world language programs in elementary and secondary 
schools.
  The future national security and economic well-being of the United 
States will depend substantially on the ability of our citizens to 
read, speak, and understand the languages and cultures of other 
nations.
  Unfortunately, multiple studies and GAO reports have found that ``by 
several measures, the United States has neglected languages in its 
educational curricula, its international strategies, and its domestic 
policies.'' The U.S. puts itself at a disadvantage in our inability to 
communicate with our international peers.
  Research has shown that the ``critical window'' for language learning 
is from ages 10-18, making investment in our elementary and secondary 
schools a top priority.
  DoDEA schools and school districts with J-ROTC programs are uniquely 
positioned to reach children who are likely to join the military or 
work for our intelligence communities.
  Language comprehension is not just a luxury: it is vital to our 
economic interests, to our diplomacy, and to our national security.
  I urge adoption of this critical amendment.

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