House Bill 9175

    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HR 9175

        By Representative Betancourt






  1                         House Resolution

  2         A resolution recognizing the importance of

  3         international education in Florida.

  4

  5         WHEREAS, in 1979, the President's Commission on Foreign

  6  Language and International Studies concluded that "nothing

  7  less is at issue than the nation's security" if measures are

  8  not taken to increase the international understanding and

  9  competencies of United States citizens, and, some 20 years

10  later, world events bear out the still-relevant nature of such

11  a finding, and

12         WHEREAS, in Florida, foreign direct investment totaled

13  $29.6 billion in 1997, and more than 1.4 million persons who

14  were not United States citizens lived in the state; in 1998,

15  Florida's international merchandise trade volume was almost

16  $70 billion, and there were more than 9 million international

17  visitors to the state; and in 1999 more than 803

18  internationally affiliated companies located in Florida

19  employed more than 44,000 workers, truths which emphasize the

20  importance both of international trade on the state's economy

21  and of a citizenry equipped with the knowledge and cultural

22  and decisionmaking skills vital in meeting the challenges of a

23  competitive world market, and

24         WHEREAS, the Florida Consortium for International

25  Education, established in 1977, has promoted international

26  educational programs at the state's community colleges and

27  universities for more than 20 years, and most of these

28  institutions have developed one or more components of such

29  programs, which include language studies, the promotion of

30  global awareness, the infusion of international dimensions

31  into on-campus curricula, the enrollment of international

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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HR 9175

    573-147-00






  1  students, opportunities for students and faculty alike to

  2  study abroad, international technical assistance projects, and

  3  linkages with institutions, agencies, and governments in other

  4  countries, and

  5         WHEREAS, the enrollment of international students in

  6  United States institutions provides their American classmates

  7  exposure to other cultures and perspectives, and, conversely,

  8  the experiences of foreign students, many of whom will be

  9  leaders in their respective nations, have the potential for

10  developing favorable attitudes towards the United States, and

11         WHEREAS, a study abroad or faculty exchange program

12  offers the participant an excellent opportunity to experience

13  the life and culture of another people, thus providing

14  knowledge and insights into differing perspectives and value

15  systems and frequently resulting in an individual who is

16  better prepared to enter the job market as a more aware,

17  skilled, and valued employee in an increasingly interdependent

18  world, NOW, THEREFORE,

19

20  Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of

21  Florida:

22

23         That the House of Representatives recognizes the

24  extreme importance of international educational programs in

25  Florida's community colleges and universities, and

26  wholeheartedly supports efforts to further their expansion

27  throughout the state.

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