The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2021 - 10

ATA's Virtual Advocacy Trip to

Every year, ATA lends

CAPITOL HILL
The pandemic couldn't stop ATA members from participating (virtually) at not

its voice as one of the
advocates from the language
professions to meet with
Congress and request
legislation and funding
in support of language
education and industry
priorities. In addition

one, but two advocacy events, ensuring the interests of all our members-

to numerous language

from individual practitioners to corporations-were well represented.

educators, several translator
and interpreter sister
organizations participate.
This year's virtual event saw

By Caitilin Walsh

T

a jump in attendance, with
participants from every state

he voices of ATA
members were heard
on Capitol Hill this

spring at not one, but two
virtual advocacy events
focused on the language
enterprise. In February, as
the new administration and
Congress were just settling
in and cabinet members were
awaiting their confirmation
hearings, the annual
Joint National Committee

Days took place, joined a few

Language Advocacy Day

weeks later by the Association

(which was extended to

of Language Companies' ALC

two days this year) is an

On the Hill event. Several

anchoring event for the

representatives from ATA

entire language enterprise,

were present at both events,
ensuring the interests of
all our members-from
individual practitioners to
corporations-were well
represented.

bringing together educators,
policy makers, and the
language industry. This big-

for the first time.
A definite highlight was
when ATA Director Lorena
Ortiz Schneider was named
the recipient of the 2021
J. David Edwards Power of
Advocacy Award, which
recognizes extraordinary

picture approach allows us

advocacy efforts carried out

to connect the dots for our

at the state or federal level

representatives and senators

that contribute to the JNCL-

on how language learning

NCLIS mission and serve to

and access support our

expand access to languages

national security, as well as

other than English. In

for Languages-National

Language Advocacy Days

Council for Languages and

JNCL-NCLIS is the authority

domestic and international

addition to serving on the

International Studies (JNCL-

on language policy in

economic growth in the

Board, Lorena chairs ATA's

NCLIS) Language Advocacy

Washington, DC. The annual

United States.

Advocacy Committee.

10

The ATA Chronicle | May/June 2021

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The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2021

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