By Oliveira                                          H.C.R. No. 271
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, International issues and events are increasingly
 1-2     affecting the daily lives of our state's citizens; and
 1-3           WHEREAS, Economic competitiveness is enhanced if citizens are
 1-4     fluent in both English and another language; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A global economy necessitates knowledge of the
 1-6     cultures and customs of others; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, The population of the State of Texas is ever
 1-8     increasing in size and diversity; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, The State of Texas can capitalize on the cultural
1-10     richness that this diversity provides; and
1-11           WHEREAS, The State of Texas has well-established bilingual
1-12     programs already in the public education system; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Dual language bilingual programs integrate native
1-14     English speakers and language-minority students for academic
1-15     instruction; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Dual language bilingual programs create an additive
1-17     bilingual environment for all students in which the first language
1-18     is maintained while the second language is acquired; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Dual language bilingual programs promote bilingual
1-20     proficiency, cross-cultural awareness, and high academic
1-21     achievement in all students; and
1-22           WHEREAS, Dual language bilingual programs will prepare our
1-23     students academically and linguistically to be multi-literate
 2-1     citizens in an international community as they master
 2-2     "English-Plus" another language; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, The workforce of tomorrow must meet the demands of a
 2-4     global economy; now, therefore, be it
 2-5           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-6     hereby encourage school districts to develop and implement dual
 2-7     language bilingual programs in which students may participate
 2-8     throughout their education; and, be it further
 2-9           RESOLVED, That the State of Texas work toward the worthy goal
2-10     of ensuring that someday every Texas student will master
2-11     "English-Plus" another language; and, be it further
2-12           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward official copies
2-13     of this resolution to the commission of education and the State
2-14     Board of Education and direct them to share its contents with
2-15     superintendents and Regional Education Service Centers.