FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C, November 22nd, 2022 – The Joint National Committee for Languages is pleased to announce Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20) as the new House Co-Chair of the America’s Languages Caucus.
The America’s Languages Caucus was established in 2019 by Representative Price (D-NC-4) and Representative Young (R-AK) as a bipartisan effort to support and enhance foreign language competence and international education among students and professionals across the United States.
Congressman Panetta has been a member of the caucus since its inaugural year and is a longstanding supporter of language education. His work to bolster funding and access to language education includes co-sponsoring the World Language Readiness and Advancement Act which was enacted in 2019 and sponsoring the Defense Language Improvement Act which was enacted in 2021.
“It’s an honor to take over as a co-chair of the America’s Languages Caucus in the U.S. Congress. I hope to build upon the solid foundation that was laid by the caucus’s founders, Rep. Price and the late Rep. Don Young,” said Rep. Panetta. “Language skills are more and more critical these days to compete in our interconnected world. That’s why I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress as well as the Joint National Committee for Languages and National Council for Languages and International Studies so that together we can support and expand language programs to empower the next generation of multilingual leaders in the United States.”
“The late Congressman Don Young and I created the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on American Languages to foster cultural competency, strengthen our national security, and enrich the lives of every American student through increased access to language and international education programs,” said Congressman David Price, Co-Chair of the America’s Language Caucus. “I am pleased that Congressman Jimmy Panetta will assume leadership of the America’s Language Caucus. He is a long-time member of the Caucus and steadfast champion of expanding language education at all levels.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and our entire nationwide team of advocates, I want to express how thrilled we are to have Congressman Panetta stepping into this leadership role to move language education forward,” said Amanda Seewald, JNCL-NCLIS President. “Representative Panetta understands the need to have a multilingual citizenry prepared to address global issues and to grow equitable language learning opportunities for all learners. Both of these are the central goals of JNCL-NCLIS. With deep gratitude to Congressman Price and Congressman Young, JNCL-NCLIS is ready to take the next important steps to ensure that language education in the U.S. grows to meet the needs of our world.”
The now bipartisan, bicameral caucus is made up of 32 members of congress. The Senate arm is co-chaired by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). The House America’s Languages Caucus Republican co-chair joining Congressman Panetta following Congressman Price’s retirement will be announced in the coming weeks.
_______________________________
About JNCL-NCLIS:
Established in 1972, the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL) and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (NCLIS) unites a national network of leading organizations and businesses comprised of over 300,000 language professionals to advocate for equitable language learning opportunities. Our mission is to ensure that Americans have the opportunity to learn English and at least one other language. Contact: info@languagepolicy.org