FAMILY Matters

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., NY) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D., CT) have introduced the FAMILY (Family and Medical Insurance Leave) Act. According to a press release, the law "would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program, ensuring that American workers would no longer have to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or a family member."

(Interesting note: although the acronym spells FAMILY, there does not appear to be a "Y" included in the bill's short title.) 

Partial press release below the jump. 

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FAMILY Act Would Establish National Paid Family and Medical Leave

December 12, 2013

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today introduced new legislation that would create paid family and medical leave. The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program, ensuring that American workers would no longer have to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or a family member. They will be joined by business leaders and advocates, who will talk about why the bill makes sense for businesses, as well as employees.

“When a young parent needs time to care for a newborn child – it should never come down to an outdated policy that lets her boss decide how long it will take – and decide the fate of her career and her future along with it. When any one of us – man or woman – needs time to care for a dying parent – we should not have to sacrifice our job and risk our future to do the right thing for our family. Choosing between your loved ones and your career and your future is a choice no one should have to make,” saidSenator Gillibrand.

“In 1986, when I was Chief of Staff to Senator Chris Dodd, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer,” saidCongresswoman DeLauro. “My doctors caught it early, but I still needed time for radiation treatment, recuperation and recovery. Senator Dodd told me to focus on getting well, and to take the time I needed. I could get better without worrying if I was out of a job or paycheck. All workers should have this opportunity when they need it. No one should have to choose between their job and taking care of themself and their family. With the FAMILY Act, they would not have to.” ...

416D65726963612043616E20436F646520! Act of 2013

Yes, the title of this post is actually the name of a congressional bill. Rep. Tony Cardenas (D., CA) introduced the 416D65726963612043616E20436F646520! Act of 2013, which is also known as the America Can Code Act of 2013. In his press release, Cardenas notes that:

“The very name of this law demonstrates that programming is simply another language,” said Cárdenas. “Learning and communicating in a foreign language can have a tremendous impact on a student, both culturally and educationally. Computer programming creates a similar impact, while also providing a critical skill in today’s global economy.”

It will be interesting to see which name the press uses. So far, it looks as if they're using both. 

The full press release is below the jump. 

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CÁRDENAS: “416D65726963612043616E20436F646520!”

Dec 12, 2013 

Press Release

Today, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) introduced the 416d65726963612043616e20436f646520 Act of 2013, also known as the America Can Code Act. This legislation would designate computer programming languages as “critical foreign languages” and provide incentives for state and local schools to teach more computer science beginning as early as Kindergarten.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

CÁRDENAS: “416d65726963612043616e20436f646520!”

(Washington, DC) -- Today, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) introduced the 416d65726963612043616e20436f646520 Act of 2013, also known as the America Can Code Act. This legislation would designate computer programming languages as “critical foreign languages” and provide incentives for state and local schools to teach more computer science beginning as early as Kindergarten.

The official short title of the name is believed to be unique among Congressional legislation. “416d65726963612043616e20436f646520” is the hexadecimal code translation of “America Can Code.”

“The very name of this law demonstrates that programming is simply another language,” said Cárdenas. “Learning and communicating in a foreign language can have a tremendous impact on a student, both culturally and educationally. Computer programming creates a similar impact, while also providing a critical skill in today’s global economy.”

Cárdenas was joined in introducing the bill by original co-sponsor Rep. Mike Honda, also of California.

Cárdenas introduced the America Can Code Act after noting that the growth of computer programming jobs at nearly twice the national average rate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage in 2010 for computer programmers was $71,380, while the median annual wage for all workers was $33,840.

By 2020, there will be an estimated 1.4 million computer programming jobs, with only 400,000 American computer science students to fill those jobs. Nine out of 10 schools in the United States do not even offer computer programming classes and in 36 states, computer coding classes do not count towards high school STEM graduation requirements.

“American students should continue to receive the understanding of other cultures that foreign language learning creates, but we should also be preparing American kids to compete in the world marketplace,” continued Cárdenas. “Millions of jobs are being created in America, and all over the globe, requiring some level of coding knowledge. Let’s get American kids ready to compete for American jobs.”

Along with redefining computer programming as a critical foreign language, the 416d65726963612043616e20436f646520 Act would create a competitive matching grant program for schools, particularly those in low-income areas, to create new ways to teach computer science and engineering, in tandem with universities and non-profits.

Click HERE to read the text of the 416d65726963612043616e20436f646520 Act of 2013.

Click HERE to read a section-by-section explanation of the 416d65726963612043616e20436f646520 Act of 2013 legislation.