IV
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. RES. 149
Supporting the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day in
bringing attention to the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural
heritage through education.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY21, 2025
Ms. M
ENG(for herself, Mr. VARGAS, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. NORTON, and Ms.
T
ITUS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of International Mother Lan-
guage Day in bringing attention to the importance of
preserving linguistic and cultural heritage through edu-
cation.
Whereas the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cul-
tural Organization (UNESCO) established International
Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999, to pro-
mote linguistic diversity and multilingualism;
Whereas the annual International Mother Language Day
celebration date, February 21, was chosen to commemo-
rate the day in 1952 in Bangladesh when students died
demonstrating for recognition of Bengali as a national
language of Pakistan;
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•HRES 149 IH
Whereas UNESCO establishes a different theme for the an-
nual celebration of International Mother Language Day
each year, promoting various aspects of linguistic edu-
cation;
Whereas 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of International
Mother Language Day, reaffirming the importance of lin-
guistic diversity and multilingualism in fostering dignity,
peace, and understanding;
Whereas, according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s
Languages in Danger, of the over 8,000 existing lan-
guages in the world, approximately 1,181 languages are
not in use, and approximately 6,000 languages are classi-
fied as ‘‘endangered’’ with the potential to disappear
within a few generations;
Whereas the United States Census Bureau has identified over
350 languages spoken in the United States, at least 160
of which are distinct Native North American languages;
Whereas according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s
Languages in Danger, 280 Native North American lan-
guages were spoken in the continental United States
when the Europeans arrived and more than 115 are al-
ready extinct, with many more critically endangered; and
Whereas the United States enjoys a rich and diverse cultural
heritage and preserving existing languages is an essential
piece to preserving this heritage: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Inter-2
national Mother Language Day; and 3
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•HRES 149 IH
(2) encourages the people of the United States 1
to observe International Mother Language Day with 2
appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities. 3
Æ
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