House Committee Approves Study Abroad Legislation, Similar Bill Introduced in Senate

The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007, by voice vote with no amendments. H.R. 1469 currently has 18 cosponsors: Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Darlene Hooley (D-OR), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), David Scott (D-GA), John Shimkus (R-IL), Diane Watson (D-CA), Robert Wexler (D-FL), and David Wu (D-OR).

The same day, Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) introduced a similar bill, the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, into the Senate. Co-sponsors include Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Barack Obama (D-IL), John Kerry (D-MA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Carl Levin (D-MI), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Ted Stevens (R-AK), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Max Baucus (D-MT), John Warner (R-VA), Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Edward Kennedy (D-MA).

Introducing S. 991, Durbin noted, "The bill has been renamed the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act so that all future generations will remember Senator Simon's commitment to international education."

Study Abroad Bill Introduced in House

On March 12, 2007, Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Ranking Member, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) announced the introduction of a bill, H.R. 1469, the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007, based on recommendations made by the Lincoln Commission.

According to Lantos: "This is an incredibly important bill that will democratize study abroad for American students in the way that the GI bill democratized higher education. Today, many American college students face financial and institutional impediments to study abroad. The Senator Paul Simon Act and the foundation it creates will tear down these barriers, and make foreign study a normal rather than an exceptional part of a college education."

"Expanding the number of American students who study abroad learning a second language and new culture advances our national interest," Ros-Lehtinen said. "Through this program, we are promoting a new generation of diplomats, intelligence analysts, and international businesspeople."

Your Take on the Forum Conference

Many colleagues lauded the 2007 Forum conference, held in Austin, Texas last week, as being one of the most valuable in education abroad.

"This was one of the best experiences I have had in the field," said Lorna Stern, of Arcadia University.

Bruce La Brack of the University of the Pacific stated, "I learned a lot at this conference, and it goes to show you that you are never too old to learn new things."

Lawrie Davidson from the University of Western Australia summed up the feelings of many of the attendees by stating: "I thought the Forum in Austin was one of the best study abroad conferences I have attended - for the sessions and networking opportunities. The workshop format encourages audience participation and helps to identify colleagues who have something to offer and who become the focus of further discussion in the coffee breaks and at functions."

What did you think of the conference? How would you describe it to a person who wasn't there or didn't know anything about the Forum?