Bill Text: PA HR91 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging the institutions in higher education that receive State funding to recognize American Sign Language coursework for foreign language credit.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 23-13)

Status: (Passed) 2009-05-04 - Adopted [HR91 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR91-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 513
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 91 Session of2009
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.
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