美国参议院将讨论《美中文化交流法》
Senators Lieberman (D-CT) and Alexander (R-TN) plan to introduce the
United States-China Cultural Engagement Act
该法的段落将用中国人名来区分:
The titles of the sections of the act are named after Chinese individuals in order to honor them:
(1) Du Fu 杜甫
(2) Wang Xizhi 王羲之
(3) Zheng He 郑和
(4) Sun Yat-Sen 孙逸仙
(5) Zhou Xin-fang 周信芳
(6) Cai Lun 蔡伦
(7) Ieoh Ming Pei 贝聿明
(8) Wang Wei 王维
- Re: 美国参议院将讨论《美中文化交流法》posted on 05/23/2005
Lieberman 将于May 25, 2005 正式提交 US-China Cultural Engagement Act 议案。
- posted on 05/26/2005
参议员Lieberman and Alexander 今天正式提出了《加强美中文化交流法》议案。
提要如下:
United States-China Cultural Engagement Act of 2005
Title I - Du Fu ( ?蕉) Chinese Language Education Enhancement Act.
Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to establish a new Foreign
Language Service Center, 10 new National Resource Centers, and awards
Grants for assistance to elementary and secondary education.
Title II - Wang Xizhi (誾倮髌) Public School Chinese Language
Instruction Improvement Act. Directs the Secretary of Education to administer a
Grant program for state education agencies and/or local school districts that
teach Chinese language and culture and sets up grant program for
schools to purchase technology for virtual exchanges.
Title III- Zheng He (鳎?? Chinese Language Instruction Act. This Act
directs the Secretary of Education to provide grants on a competitive
basis to state education agencies with the intent to increase the number of
secondary school graduates that receive substantial exposure to Chinese
language and culture.
Title IV - Sun Yat-sen (涝? ?) Postsecondary Exchange Act. Direct the
Secretary of Education to initiate and sustain a U.S.-China International
Consortia Exchange Program similar in structure to the Brazilian,
European, and North American Consortia Programs and increase number of Institutes
Of Higher Education International Business Education Centers.
Title V - Zhou Xinfang (餍-?.? Artists Awareness Act. Directs the
Secretary of State through the Culture Connect program to promulgate
regulations and administer a grant program to individuals and
organizations to travel to China to study Chinese culture and /or to perform for
entertainment purposes.
Title VI - Cai Lun (久*? Exchange Program Act. Sets up parameters
For secondary school physical and virtual exchanges as well as expand
opportunities to study in China under Fulbright Scholarships. Directs
the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations for grants to
nongovernmental organizations to facilitate exchanges.
Title VII - Ieoh Ming Pei (饱叹^T) Travel Enhancements Act. Authorizes
The Secretary of State to construct two more consular offices in China as
Well as sets forth provisions to make it easier for Chinese nationals to
Receive information on U.S. visas. Authorizes the creation of the J-4 visa
classification for secondary school physical exchange participants and
visa approval pilot programs for Chinese scientists.
Title VIII - Wang Wei (誾'? Commercial Exchange Improvement Act.
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to hire more Foreign Commercial Service
Officers in China as well as administer grants to states for the purpose of
establishing state export centers in China. Gives the SBA箂 Office of
International Trade the authority to fund the hiring of an additional
international trade expert at each of its lead Small Business Development Centers.
Title IX - Authorizes the creation of a United States-China Engagement
Strategy Council and requires the council to formulate a strategy for
coordination and implementation of the grants and programs authorized
in this Act.
详细内容如下:
Senators Lieberman (D-CT) and Alexander (R-TN) introduced today the
United States-China Cultural Engagement Act on Friday May 13, 2005 at a 10am
Press conference in Room SC-6 of the Capitol.
The legislation provides for Chinese language instruction in American
schools. It authorizes an increase of American consular activity
supporting American commercial activity in China and provides for physical and
virtual exchanges among a broad spectrum of individuals in the two nations.
NPR Morning Edition aired a segment today on the growth of Chinese
Language popularity in the United States. The piece is available at the
Following URL:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4628444 A short article on the same issue appeared in the most recent Newsweek
magazine:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7693591/site/newsweek/
Following is a section by section analysis of the bill, and a one page
description of the draft bill. A copy of the final bill will be posted
on the JNCL-NCLIS website when it is introduced on May 13th.
_______________________
Analysis: United States-China Cultural Engagement Act of 2005
Section II
(a) Findings: The United States - China relationship will dominate
worldwide economic and non-economic policies in the 21st century. China, having
a vast consumer market and a productive, entrepreneurial labor force
offers growth and world security. It is in the best interests of both parties to
increase the number of economic and cultural exchanges to maintain a stable
relationship and provide a greater opportunity for economic growth for
both nations
(b) The purpose of this act is to expand academic, cultural, and
business outreach activities to increase the knowledge and expertise of Chinese
language and culture so as to create a reservoir of individuals with
the cultural erudition to constructively engage China as China becomes more
influential in world affairs
(c) Specifies that this legislation be implemented under the U.S./China
Joint Communiques of 1972, 1979, and 1982
(d) Background in naming titles after famous Chinese trailblazers: The
purpose in providing the short titles used in this Act is to honor famous
Chinese individuals by naming the programs established by the Act after
those individuals
(1) Du Fu
(2) Wang Xizhi
(3) Zheng He
(4) Sun Yat-Sen
(5) Zhou Xin-fang
(6) Cai Lun
(7) Ieoh Ming Pei
(8) Wang Wei
Title I Chinese Language Infrastructure
Sec. 101 Short Title
Du Fu ( ?蕉) Chinese Language Education Enhancement Act
Sec. 102 Chinese Language and Cultural Studies Grants
Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to institution of
Higher education under existing requirements and restrictions for creation of
An additional ten National Resource Centers (NRC) under Title VI of the
Higher Education Act
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $1,000,000 for
fiscal year 2010, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2011
Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to a postsecondary
education institution under existing requirements and restrictions for
creation of an additional Foreign Language Resource Center (FLRC) under
Title VI of the Higher Education Act
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $1,800,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$1,600,000 for fiscal year 2008, $1,400,000 for fiscal year 2009, $1,200,000 for
fiscal year 2010, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2011
Directs the Secretary of Education to promulgate regulations and
Administer a formula-grant in aid program under Title VI of the Higher Education
Act with the following stipulations;
-- Grants shall be awarded to FLRC and NRC on the basis of assistance
to elementary, secondary, and post- secondary schools in:
+ Locating and acquiring Chinese language and culture study
instructors
+ Devising course curricula and daily lesson planning
+ Providing other instruction assistance, materials, and
information as necessary
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011
Title II Public School Chinese Language Instruction
Sec. 201 Short Title
Wang Xizhi (誾倮髌) Public School Chinese Language Instruction
Improvement Act Sec. 202 Definitions
Sec. 203 Elementary School and Middle School Chinese Language and
Cultural Studies Expansion
Amends Title VI of the Higher Education Act to direct the Secretary of
Education to promulgate regulations for and administer a grant in aid
To state education agencies and/or local school districts to offer Chinese
language and culture courses for elementary and middle school students
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and
$20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011
Sec. 204 School Language Technology Enhancement
Amends Title VI of the Higher Education Act to direct the Secretary of
Education to promulgate standards for and administer a grant program
For state education agencies and/or local school districts in preparation
or in the process of implementing Chinese language instruction courses and/or
student exchange programs of this Act
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2007 through 2010, and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011
Title III Secondary School Chinese Language Instruction Expansion
Sec. 301 Short Title
Zheng He (鳎?? Chinese Language Instruction Act
Sec. 302 Benefit to Exposure to Chinese Language and Culture
Expresses the Sense of Congress that there is great potential benefit
to an increase in the number of secondary school graduates that have received
substantial exposure to Chinese language and culture instructions.
Sec. 303 Secondary School Chinese Language Programs
Directs the Secretary of Education to develop a China language
Curricula outline that may be implemented by secondary schools and provide grants
on a competitive basis to state education agencies and/or local school
districts to pay for such a program with the goal of making five percent of
secondary school graduates functionally literate in Chinese by 2008
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011
Title IV Post Secondary Exchange Programs
Sec. 401 Short Title
Sun Yat-Sen (涝? ?) Postsecondary Exchange Act
Sec. 402 United States-China International Consortia Exchange Program
Amends Title VII Part B of the Higher Education Act to direct the
Secretary of Education to initiate and sustain a U.S.-China International
Consortia Exchange Program similar in structure to the Brazilian, European, and
North American Consortia Programs currently in service by the Higher
Education Act
--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and
$7,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011.
Sec. 403 Expansion of International Business Center Programs with Asian
Focus Directs the Secretary of Education to increase the number of Institutes
Of Higher Education International Business Education Centers from 28 to100
Sec. 404 Authorization of Appropriations
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and
$7,000,000 for each fiscal years 2008 through 2011
Title V Cultural and Entertainment Awareness Program
Sec. 501 Short Title
Zhou Xin-Fang (餍-?.? Artists Awareness Act
Sec. 502 Cultural and Entertainment Awareness Program
Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish within the
Culture Connectprogram, a program to allow individuals or organizations to travel to
China to study Chinese culture and /or to perform for entertainment purposes
--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$4,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$8,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $12,000,000 for
fiscal year 2010, and $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2011
Title VI Exchanges Between the United States and China
Sec. 601 Short Title
Cai Lun (久*? Exchange Program Act
Subtitle A Exchange Programs
Sec. 611 Definitions
Sec. 612 Physical and Virtual Exchanges
Directs the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations and administer
A new formula-based grant program under the jurisdiction of the
Department of State箂 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to fund U.S.-China
secondary school reciprocal physical student exchanges in coordination
with a state education entity and/or international exchange facilitation
organization
-- Grants should be awarded to the exchange facilitating entity to be
used as scholarships to both American and Chinese students to fund travel
and expenses
-- Scholarship shall fund two types of physical exchange visits:
+ First Exchange Scholarship is to be not longer than 90 days
+ Second Exchange Scholarship shall be longer than 90 days
-- Directs the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to require
that grant recipients facilitate reciprocal treatment with regards to the
number of U.S. students traveling to China as the number of Chinese Students
traveling to the U.S.
--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for fiscal 2006, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and
$25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011
Directs the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations and administer
A new competitive-based grant program under the Department of State箂
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
for the purpose of funding U.S.-China outreach and exchange
facilitation organizations for relationship and capacity building to facilitate
virtual exchanges between U.S. secondary schools and Chinese educational
entities
--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, and $20,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2007 through 2011
Sec. 613 Assistance to Nongovernmental Organizations
Directs the Secretary of State箂 Office of Citizens Exchanges to
Increase outreach efforts to U.S.-China international academic, professional,
And cultural outreach organizations to increase the amount and size of
exchange-of-persons grant projects
--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$12,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2011
Sec. 614 Exchanges Under the Mutual Educational and Cultural
Exchange Act of 1961
Directs the Secretary of State箂 Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs to increase the number of fully funded Fulbright Scholar Grants to U.S.
students for the study in China to not less than 110 percent of the
number of students that received assistance from the Secretary during fiscal
year 2004
-- The bureau shall use its new budget authority to give priority to
students who will participate in educational activities related to:
+ Rule of law, including civil rights, tort, and contract law
+ Extraction and utilization of energy resources
+ Financial Services
--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$7,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$8,000,000
for fiscal year 2008, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $10,000,000 for
fiscal year 2010, and $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2011
Directs the Secretary of Education to promulgate rules for and
administer a China Doctoral Research Abroad Grant Program to be modeled after the
current Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad program
-- China Doctoral Research Abroad Grant Program shall make grants
available to students in wide range of disciplines including but not limited to:
+ Journalism
+ Law
+ Hospital/healthcare/medical
+ Environmental
+ Political scientists
+ Energy experts
+ Banking/Financial experts
+ Teachers
+ Artists
+ Scientists
+ Intellectual Property Experts
+ Farmers/Ranchers
--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and
$4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011
Sec . 615 Local Government Official Exchange Facilitation
Directs the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations and administer
A new competitive-based grant program under the Department of State箂
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to international exchange
Facilitation organizations to set up cultural exchange partnerships between Chinese
And U.S. municipal governmental entities and/or U.S. state and Chinese
Province governmental entities
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011
Subtitle B Report on Peace Corps in China
Directs Peace Corps to prepare a report for Congress on dramatically
expanding the number of volunteers and missions in China
Title VII Diplomatic and Visitation Initiatives
Sec. 701 Short Title
Ieoh Ming Pei (饱叹^T) Travel Enhancements Act
Sec. 702 Definitions
Sec. 703 Negotiating Authority for Approved Destination Status
Expresses the Sense of Congress to encourage the Secretary of State to
Enter into negotiations with the appropriate ministries of the Chinese
Government to secure "Approved Destination Status" to remove all Chinese
Government restrictions on travel to the U.S. by Chinese nationals as long as such
designation does not violate current immigration law
Sec. 704 Increased Consular Services for China
Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish facilities that meet the
requirements for personal safety and security to negotiate with China
for the permission to build and operate an additional two consular offices
-- Of the amounts appropriated to the Secretary for the administration
of foreign affairs account, the following amounts may be made available to
carry out the provisions of this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year
2006, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $30,000,000 for each fiscal years
2008 through 2010, and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2011
Sec. 705 Visa Inquiry Improvements
Authorizes the Secretary of State to expand the use of Ocall centers?
at all U.S. Embassy and consulate locations in China for the purpose of
servicing inquiries to enter the United States.
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011
Sec. 706 Feasibility Study Program
Authorizes the Secretary of State to conduct a study as to the
Feasibility of establishing a program in which scientists from China seeking visa
approval to come to the U.S. shall be presumed to be seeking admission
on a temporary basis and may be interviewed by an employee of the U.S. that
is not a member of the Foreign Service
-- This study is to be completed not later than one year after
enactment of this Act
Authorizes the Secretary of State to undertake a study as to the
Feasibility of a mandate that Chinese scientists awarded H-1b visas not be included
In the number of H-1b visas counted against the federal cap
-- This study is to be completed not later than one year after
enactment of this Act
Sec. 707 New Visa Classification for Secondary School Physical
Exchanges Amends the Sec. 101 of the immigration and nationalization Act to add
An additional J-class visa: J-4
-- A J-4 visa holder箂 maximum period of stay inside the U.S. shall not
be longer than 90 days
-- The Secretary of State is authorized to establish such procedures as
are necessary to expedite approval of the J-4
+ The Secretary of State shall submit a report to Congress, not later
than one year after enactment of this Act, on the procedures the Secretary
has implemented to expedite approval of the J-4 visa
Title VIII United States-China Commercial Exchange Programs
Sec. 801 Short Title
Wang Wei (誾'? Commercial Exchange Improvement Act
Sec. 802 Staff Increase for Foreign Commercial Service in China
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to increase the number of
Certified Foreign Commercial
Service Officers by 35 and to assign the additional Foreign Commercial
Service officers to the American Embassy and Consular Offices in China,
along with the requisite support staff
--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, and $15,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2007 through 2011
Sec. 803 Expansion of State Export Assistance Centers in China
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations and
administer grants to states to fund not more than 33 percent of the cost of establishing
and maintaining a state export assistance and outreach post in China
-- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
the following sums $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $10,000,000 for fiscal
year 2007, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $20,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2009 through 2011
Sec. 804 Expansion of Trade Outreach at SBA
Authorizes the Small Business Administration箂 Office of International
Trade to facilitate the hiring additional international trade experts to
Perform outreach and provide strategic guidance to small businesses at each
Small Business Development Center location throughout the U.S. on exporting
services and/or products to China -- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Small Business Administration to carry out this section the following sums $7,000,000
for fiscal year 2006, $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000 for
fiscal year 2008, and $4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2011
Title IX United States-China Engagement Strategy Council
Sec. 901
Authorizes the creation of a United States-China Engagement Strategy
Council to be composed of the Secretary of Education, Secretary of State, and
The Secretary of Commerce or their designees to set a strategy for
Coordination and implementation of programs and grants authorized by this Act
-- The Chairperson of this council shall serve annual terms and be
rotated among the secretaries or their designees
-- The first chairperson is mandated to be the Secretary of State or
his designee
Sec. 902 Duties of the council
Requires the council to formulate a strategy for coordination and
implementation of the grants and programs under this and report to the
President and Congress not later than three years containing--
conclusion on the progress of the programs and recommendations for legislation and
administrative actions the council considers appropriate
Sec. 903 Powers of the Council
Authorizes the Council to hold hearings and meetings as necessary and
May secure directly from a federal agency such information as the council
considers necessary to carry out this Act
Sec. 904 Personnel Powers
Sets forth provisions detailing how council members shall be compensated
Sec. 905 Authorization for Appropriations
--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011
_____________________
United States-China Cultural Engagement Act of 2005
Title I - Du Fu ( ?蕉) Chinese Language Education Enhancement Act.
Directs
the Secretary of Education to award grants to establish a new Foreign
Language Service Center, 10 new National Resource Centers, and awards
Grants for assistance to elementary and secondary education.
Title II - Wang Xizhi (誾倮髌) Public School Chinese Language
Instruction Improvement Act. Directs the Secretary of Education to administer a
Grant program for state education agencies and/or local school districts that
teach Chinese language and culture and sets up grant program for
schools to purchase technology for virtual exchanges.
Title III- Zheng He (鳎?? Chinese Language Instruction Act. This Act
directs the Secretary of Education to provide grants on a competitive
basis to state education agencies with the intent to increase the number of
secondary school graduates that receive substantial exposure to Chinese
language and culture.
Title IV - Sun Yat-sen (涝? ?) Postsecondary Exchange Act. Direct the
Secretary of Education to initiate and sustain a U.S.-China International
Consortia Exchange Program similar in structure to the Brazilian,
European, and North American Consortia Programs and increase number of Institutes
Of Higher Education International Business Education Centers.
Title V - Zhou Xinfang (餍-?.? Artists Awareness Act. Directs the
Secretary of State through the Culture Connect program to promulgate
regulations and administer a grant program to individuals and
organizations to travel to China to study Chinese culture and /or to perform for
entertainment purposes.
Title VI - Cai Lun (久*? Exchange Program Act. Sets up parameters
For secondary school physical and virtual exchanges as well as expand
opportunities to study in China under Fulbright Scholarships. Directs
the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations for grants to
nongovernmental organizations to facilitate exchanges.
Title VII - Ieoh Ming Pei (饱叹^T) Travel Enhancements Act. Authorizes
The Secretary of State to construct two more consular offices in China as
Well as sets forth provisions to make it easier for Chinese nationals to
Receive information on U.S. visas. Authorizes the creation of the J-4 visa
classification for secondary school physical exchange participants and
visa approval pilot programs for Chinese scientists.
Title VIII - Wang Wei (誾'? Commercial Exchange Improvement Act.
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to hire more Foreign Commercial Service
Officers in China as well as administer grants to states for the purpose of
establishing state export centers in China. Gives the SBA箂 Office of
International Trade the authority to fund the hiring of an additional
international trade expert at each of its lead Small Business Development Centers.
Title IX - Authorizes the creation of a United States-China Engagement
Strategy Council and requires the council to formulate a strategy for
coordination and implementation of the grants and programs authorized
in this Act.
- Re: 美国参议院将讨论《美中文化交流法》posted on 05/26/2005
title用人名来标明,怪!这才叫不伦不类!杜甫成议案(条例?)第一条了。 - Re: 美国参议院将讨论《美中文化交流法》posted on 05/26/2005
这个法案如果得以通过,应该是有历史意义的。它的主要目标是在美国强化华语教学和中国研究。具体措施包括,设立十来个华语资源中心,在中学加强华语教学,设立中国研究博士奖学金等等。这个提案的出台显然是因为预见到中国将是一个世界强国。 - posted on 05/26/2005
ZT: 美参院提出“美中文化交流促进案”
十三亿美元全面提升美国中文教育
邛逸泓
五月二十五日美国华府乍暖还凉,但美中两国关系上却在不经意中刮来一阵春天的暖流, 让人不禁惊喜。
下午两点, 在国会大厦的新闻发布室,民主党参议员乔·李伯曼和共和党参议员拉马尔·亚历山大共同发布了他们商议了数月的“美中文化交流促进议案”。该议案要求美国联邦政府在二零零六年到二零一一年的五个财政年度里共拨出十三亿美元(于中国十三亿人口相切合),用于扩展和加强美中两国的文化交流,特别是美国的中文教育及与中国的初等、中等及高等教育留学生交换计划。
该议案共分九部分,林林总总,囊括了商务、教育、科学、旅游、外交和文化交流等领域,有些方面颇具新意。例如,该议案要求移民局设立一个全新的签证类别(J-4),专门用于二十岁以下、在美交流旅行不超过九十天的中国学生,并对中国科学家访美的签证网开一面。当然,该议案最大的受益者还是美国学生,特别是中小学生(对华裔学生和家长的好处应该更多)。而一旦通过,它的影响不仅仅是给美国教育机构拨更多资金,而在于它将大为改变美国民众及教育界对中文教育的整体地位的看法,并造成全面提升中文教育一波接一波的连锁反映,此长期效应及势头决不可低估。
法案刚刚推出,美国各界人士与团体已纷纷表明要各路行动,推动该议案的顺利通过。今天的记者招待会已是“令人意外”的“人满为患”,两位议员大为鼓舞。今天在场的教育界、工商局、和华裔社会人士正是即将到来的游说活动的三大主体,而其中的华人团体将会扮演举足轻众的角色,因为它事关华人社区的切身利益。它将是对华人社会政治成熟与否的及时检验,
据了解,目前华人社区的“百人会”已表明要尽全力推动该法案的通过。成立不久的从事促进美中关系及华人权益的“美国华人全国委员会”(NCCA)也将积极参与该议案的游说,该游说团体并已准备近日内展开大规模签名运动。“美华协会”(OCA)的主要干部们也在进一步了解该议案,准备近日内带兵投入阵营,以共壤其盛。而中文学校的骨干们更是为此议案的提出而深受鼓舞。前全美中文学校校董、华夏学校总校校长王朝伯和现任全美校董姚远都认为要抓住这个天赐良机,为中文学校打开一片新天地。“美国华人全国委员会”的部分发起人李亚、李鲁远、陈自强、薛海培等一致呼吁华人结成社区同盟,以此法案为锲机大练兵,进而于今年推动亚裔关心的移民改革法案,最终促成国会成立“国会中国同盟”(Congressional China Caucus)。
那么,为什么两位重量级参议员(均曾为总统候选人)会在国会对华一片萧瑟“秋风”之际、国会为极度膨胀的财政赤字叫苦连天之时提出此一“不尽合时意”的议案呢?该议案背后会不会有什么特别背景和团体呢?这是不少驻华府中文媒体均想一探究竟的。多维驻华府深资特派员经多方了解,乃失望而归。看来,若说此议案有什么背景,最大的背景应就是美国媒体目前对中国每天的“饱和”报道和美国举国上下对中国崛起的关注。还是听听李伯曼参议员今天在参议院的演讲吧,这应该是这位以谨守正统派犹太教教义著名的、以国际主义和人类大同为己任(不一定总能做到)的康州议员的心声:
“主席先生,今天是二零零五年五月二十五日。我现在向参院提交一个旨在重新定义美中关系的议案。今天,从美国的对外政策和世界历史讲,我们正站在一个新世纪的始点。人类历史上第一次,一个经济和军事超级强国正将在没有战争的硝烟中崛起,它就是亚洲的中国......” - Re: 美国参议院将讨论《美中文化交流法》posted on 05/27/2005
请老八认真查一下,如何申请这个基金~~~
非常有趣的~~~ - Re: 美国参议院将讨论《美中文化交流法》posted on 05/27/2005
玛雅,这才是提案,离变成法律还早着呢。不过,如果能够成功立法,应该是对美国的华语人士有很多好处的。Will keep an eye for you. :-) - Re: 美国参议院将讨论《美中文化交流法》posted on 06/28/2005
请美国的各位去访问 www.nccaonline.org 支持中文教育立法。谢谢。 - posted on 06/29/2005
ZT
亲爱的华裔同胞:
如您所知,联邦参议员李伯曼和亚历山大在今年5月25日向国会提出了一项题为《美中文化交流促进案》的法律提案。
这个提案的要点包括:由联邦政府拨款十三亿美元,加强美国中小学的中文教育;简化中国学生、尤其是中小学生短期访问美国的签证手续;设立奖学金鼓励青年对现代中国开展学术研究;加强美中科学家、艺术家的互访交流等。
李伯曼参议员在介绍该提案时指出:“人类历史上第一次,一个经济和军事超级强国正将在没有战争的硝烟中崛起,它就是亚洲的中国......”
中国的崛起,美中贸易的发展,激发着美国人民了解中国语言文化的需求。二位参议员顺应形势提出这项提案,是美国历史上第一次以国会立法提案的形式,从正面强调中国文化和语言的重要性。这也是美国国会第一次以长远的目光来看待文化交流在中美关系中的战略意义。
这个提案如果成为正式法律,将毫无疑问地引导美国和中国这两个伟大国家的人民更好地相互了解。这个法案在美中关系方面将产生极大的建设意义和深远影响。而在美国国内,自不待言,美国人民,尤其是年轻的一代和全体华人,将是这个法案的直接受益人。
作为美国华裔,我们当然十分赞赏国会表现的智慧。但提案成为正式法律,还有很长的路要走。所有的美国华人,无论来自何处或持有何种政治观念,都应该态度明确地支持《美中文化交流促进案》,以行动促成该提案早日通过,成为法律。
亲爱的同胞,順应天意,弘扬中华文化,是我们义不容辞的责任。请您访问我们的互联网站 www.nccaonline.org, 使用我们为您准备的电子签名设备在这封公开信上签名。这是我们在美国政治舞台上扮演主要角色的时机。让我们一起来 游说国会。让我们一起争取从您所在州的国会议员那里得到一张赞成票。让我们一起给我们的后代,给全体美国人的后代,在美国留下一笔地久天长的、无价的文化 宝藏。
美国华人全国委员会
Please paste HTML code and press Enter.
(c) 2010 Maya Chilam Foundation