For Immediate Release
August 31, 2007

Congressman Pitts Congratulates Constituent on Language Scholarship

Lancaster resident to study in Russia as part of National Security Education Program Scholarship

Washington– Sarah Bidgood, of Lancaster, was recently awarded a scholarship by the David L. Boren National Security Education Program.  The program, operated by the National Defense University, provides funds for students to study languages abroad in exchange for work in the intelligence and national security communities upon graduation.  Sarah is one of just 147 outstanding undergraduates in the U.S. to receive the award.

Bidgood is a junior at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.  She is majoring in Russian language and literature.  She will live with a host family and study at Yaroslavl State University in Yaroslavl, Russia.  She said she would like to eventually work in a government position “that would let me foster an exchange of intellectual ideas between Russia and the U.S.”  She thinks a cultural dialogue between two countries “can lead to a much deeper understanding between them and greater political peace will result.”   

Congressman Pitts’ statement follows:

“It is vital that we encourage U.S. citizens to learn critical foreign languages.  Our intelligence and national security communities need people who can understand the many languages and cultures around the world.  We live in a world where events in the far reaches of the globe can have substantial effects on us here in the United States, and it is important that we are training individuals to be able to understand the events shaping our nation’s security.”

Background

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) is an integral component of the Department of Defense Language Transformation Plan as well as a part of the President’s National Security Language Initiative.  The program provides funding for exceptional U.S. students to study critical languages and world regions.  In exchange, the individuals commit to seek employment in a federal agency involved in national security affairs.  NSEP scholars will study 24 distinct languages in 31 different countries this year.  More than 600 federal positions have been filled by NSEP award recipients at 34 different departments and independent agencies.

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