By:  Zaffirini                                        S.C.R. No. 50
         2001S1283/1                            
 1-1                        SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-2           WHEREAS, International issues and events are increasingly
 1-3     affecting the daily lives of our state's citizens; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Economic competitiveness is enhanced if citizens are
 1-5     fluent in both English and another language; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, A global economy necessitates knowledge of the
 1-7     cultures and customs of others; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, The population of the State of Texas is ever
 1-9     increasing in size and diversity; and
1-10           WHEREAS, The State of Texas can capitalize on the cultural
1-11     richness that this diversity provides; and
1-12           WHEREAS, The State of Texas has well-established bilingual
1-13     programs already in the public education system; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Dual language bilingual programs integrate native
1-15     English speakers and language-minority students for academic
1-16     instruction; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Dual language bilingual programs create an additive
1-18     bilingual environment for all students in which the first language
1-19     is maintained while the second language is acquired; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Dual language bilingual programs promote bilingual
1-21     proficiency, cross-cultural awareness, and high academic
1-22     achievement in all students; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Dual language bilingual programs will prepare our
1-24     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.