Cicilline Joins with Rhode Island Foreign Language Association, Backs Legislation to Enhance K-12 Proficiency

PAWTUCKET – During a meeting with the Rhode Island Foreign Language Association in his Pawtucket Congressional office, U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) today announced that he would join with the organization in supporting the Excellence and Innovation in Language Learning Act.

“Young people today won’t just be competing for jobs against kids in their city or town, they’ll be competing against kids halfway around the world, and we need to give them the tools to succeed in a 21st century economy,” said Cicilline.  “The Excellence and Innovation in Language Learning Act will help promote the study of foreign languages and enable Rhode Island students to achieve success in a global economy.”

The Excellence and Innovation in Language Learning Act, H.R. 1994, was introduced last year by Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ).  Cicilline will formally be added as the seventh co-sponsor of this bill when Congress returns to session next week.  H.R. 1994 would provide competitive matching grants for partnerships between state and local educational agencies and institutions of higher learning to promote the study of foreign languages through high school.  In recent years, foreign language skills have become increasingly valuable for sectors ranging from food services to health care to banking.    

During his first term in Congress, Cicilline has supported several measures that would protect and expand education and workforce training programs.  Earlier this year, he opposed the Republican budget proposal, which recommended significant cuts to student loans, Pell Grants, and training programs.  Cicilline has also introduced the Make it in America Block Grant Program Act, H.R. 1912, legislation that would provide targeted funding for small to medium-sized businesses to retrain workers and retool their factories.