HR 9033

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing the importance of international
3	education to Florida's economy, competitiveness, and
4	education system and designating November 17-21, 2008, as
5	"International Education Week" in Florida.
6
7	WHEREAS, in an ever more globalized world, it is essential
8	to better prepare Floridians to work and interact effectively,
9	and
10	WHEREAS, efforts in support of international education will
11	make a vital contribution to Florida's ability to compete with
12	other areas in the United States and in the world economy, and
13	WHEREAS, by promoting a global perspective, Florida's
14	colleges and universities will greatly enhance and enrich the
15	educational experience and environment of their students,
16	faculty, and staff, and
17	WHEREAS, the Board of Governors of the State University
18	System has endorsed a proposal to develop a Florida Initiative
19	for Global Education as a statewide effort to promote greater
20	foreign language competency and increased opportunities to study
21	abroad for Florida college and university students, and
22	WHEREAS, the economy of Florida is inextricably tied to the
23	rest of the world, and state economic development depends upon a
24	deliberate strategic development plan that includes recognition
25	of the role of international education in all of its facets, and
26	WHEREAS, through their delivery of education, research, and
27	training programs overseas and the enrollment of international
28	students on their campuses, Florida's colleges and universities
29	have made higher education a critical component of the state's
30	service export economy, and
31	WHEREAS, international students studying in Florida
32	contribute approximately $680,000,000 annually to the state's
33	economy, and
34	WHEREAS, participation in International Education Week, a
35	joint initiative of the United States Department of State and
36	the United States Department of Education, is an opportunity to
37	celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange
38	worldwide, NOW, THEREFORE,
39
40	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
41	Florida:
42
43	That the House of Representatives recognizes the importance
44	of international education to Florida's economy,
45	competitiveness, and education system and designates November
46	17-21, 2008, as "International Education Week" in Florida.

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