PRINTER'S NO. 1997
No. 311 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY VANCE, RHOADES, MUSTO, BAKER, LAVALLE, BROWNE,
TOMLINSON, ARMSTRONG, BOSCOLA, EARLL, ERICKSON, FERLO,
FONTANA, GREENLEAF, KITCHEN, ORIE, PIPPY, RAFFERTY,
WASHINGTON, A. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING AND WOZNIAK,
APRIL 30, 2008
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 30, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the importance of international education on the
2 60th anniversary year of NAFSA: Association of International
3 Educators.
4 WHEREAS, NAFSA: Association of International Educators will
5 celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2008, as the largest
6 organization focusing on international education with nearly
7 10,000 members nationwide; and
8 WHEREAS, NAFSA: Association of International Educators will
9 host its 60th Annual Conference & Expo in Washington, DC, from
10 May 25 through 30, 2008, attracting more than 8,000 delegates
11 from more than 100 countries; and
12 WHEREAS, The Senate recognizes the importance of
13 international education within its own educational institutions
14 along with other members of NAFSA: Association of International
15 Educators in this Commonwealth; and
16 WHEREAS, The world has become increasingly interconnected
17 through advances in technology and transportation, and a global
1 perspective is critical in facing the challenges of the 21st
2 century; and
3 WHEREAS, Providing the future leaders of this Commonwealth
4 with the broadest possible education will significantly impact
5 our national security, foreign policy, economic competitiveness,
6 economic revenue and capacity for tolerance; and
7 WHEREAS, International education includes expanding foreign
8 language curricula and academic programs that address global
9 issues and examining other cultures; and
10 WHEREAS, Today, the development of new knowledge and the best
11 research and technological breakthroughs require international
12 collaboration; and
13 WHEREAS, Universities, colleges and schools should be
14 encouraged to introduce all Commonwealth students to other
15 cultures, foreign languages and global issues and to provide
16 opportunities to study abroad, which will enrich students'
17 perspectives and personal development; and
18 WHEREAS, Evidence of the growing connection between this
19 Commonwealth and the rest of the world can be found in the
20 Institute of International Education's Open Doors Report
21 2006/2007; and
22 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth ranks seventh in this nation with
23 a total number of 23,182 foreign students studying in this
24 Commonwealth for the 2006-2007 academic year, and these foreign
25 students and their families contributed more than $661 million
26 to the Pennsylvania economy; and
27 WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is third in sending United States
28 undergraduate students abroad with a total of 14,058 in 2005 and
29 2006; and
30 WHEREAS, Qualified students and faculty members from other
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1 countries should be encouraged to study in this Commonwealth to
2 further the free exchange of ideas and to facilitate an
3 appreciation of different cultures; and
4 WHEREAS, The emphasis on international education in this
5 Commonwealth will strengthen global understanding and build an
6 even stronger foundation for the future of this Commonwealth;
7 and
8 WHEREAS, Foreign firms in this Commonwealth are dependent on
9 globally educated and trained workers to continue to compete in
10 both foreign direct investment and in seeking contracts overseas
11 with more than 1,400 foreign-owned firms operating in this
12 Commonwealth, employing 249,400 individuals; therefore be it
13 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the importance of
14 international education and encourage Pennsylvania institutions
15 of higher education and all other educational institutions of
16 learning to meet the challenges of a global society; and be it
17 further
18 RESOLVED, That the Senate congratulate NAFSA: Association of
19 International Educators on celebrating its 60th anniversary.
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