C - OALITION FOR I NTERNATIONAL E DUCATION

20510 Dear Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell, As you consider comprehensive legislation to address 21st century security and economic challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China and other nations, the undersigned organizations strongly support inclusion of enhancements to Title VI of the Higher Education Act, as proposed in the bipartisan Advancing International and Fore. [...] Today the nation’s security, its economic growth, and its success in navigating increasingly complex global challenges hinge on our ability to understand and engage with diverse cultures at home and around the world. [...] While addressing the nation’s critical and expanding needs for fluency in foreign languages, world regions and international business, the bill also provides students with innovative opportunities to obtain the international experience and skills in growing demand across a wide range of professional and technical fields impacting our global engagement, security and competitiveness. [...] It maintains an unparalleled national capacity in teaching and resources, without which most of the less commonly taught languages and world regions of strategic interest would not be taught in our schools and colleges on a regular basis. [...] Other complementary international education activities in the Departments of Defense, State and Commerce, which have more targeted priorities, depend on the Title VI educational infrastructure and resources to further their strategic goals.