improve and refocus our programs to support the goals of the department's international strategy, to strernten u.s. education, and advance the nation's international priorities. we believe firmly that knowledge and understanding of other cultures and languages are an increasingly interconnected world, critical to building and sustaining our nation over the coming years. thank you, mr. chairman, for your attention to this important issue and i'll be happy to answer any questions later. >> now ms. greenfield, please proceed with your statement. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the efforts and their challenges to build the foreign language skills we need to fulfill our mission and also to deliver on america's foreign policy agenda. i will be presenting a summary of my statement today and ask that the full statement be submitted for the record. the bureau of human resources has the critical responsibility of building and maintaining an effective civilian workforce that can strengthen the security and prosperity of our nation. as secretary