THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY J. EVANS, BAKER, BARRAR, BELFANTI, BOBACK, BOYD, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, DENLINGER, EVERETT, GEIST, GINGRICH, GRUCELA, HARRIS, HELM, HESS, HORNAMAN, KORTZ, MELIO, MENSCH, MICOZZIE, MOUL, MYERS, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PICKETT, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH AND K. SMITH, FEBRUARY 18, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 18, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Urging the institutions in higher education that receive State

funding to recognize American Sign Language coursework for

foreign language credit.

WHEREAS, The unique social, cultural and linguistic heritage

of the hearing-impaired community and its substantial

contribution to the enrichment and diversity of our society is

important to this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 20 years, a significant and growing

body of scientific inquiry of American Sign Language (ASL) has

been undertaken, with the result that ASL is now generally

recognized as a separate language with its own grammar and

syntax; and

WHEREAS, ASL is the third most communicated language in the

United States other than English, and there is a significant and

growing need for sign language interpreters and transliterators;

and

WHEREAS, The legislative bodies of 40 states have formally

recognized ASL as a foreign language; and

WHEREAS, Learning and communicating with ASL contributes to a

greater understanding of the social and cultural aspects of

hearing impairment, the promotion of better communication

between those with hearing and the hearing impaired and the

advancement of the full inclusion and participation of people

who are deaf and other persons with disabling conditions in

every area of society; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the

institutions in higher education that receive State funding to

recognize American Sign Language coursework for foreign language

credit; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives respectfully

request that the presidents of the institutions in higher

education that receive State funding confer and collaborate in

providing for the inclusion of American Sign Language among the

foreign language courses approved for foreign language credit at

their respective institutions, as well as to determine ways and

incentives in which institutions of higher education that

receive State funding are encouraged to accept successfully

completed coursework in American Sign Language for foreign

language credit; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to

the presidents of the institutions in higher education that

receive State funding.