The text of H.R.2708, the Foreign Language Assistance for National Security Act of 1983, is presented and a transcript of the testimony given at the hearings is provided. The purposes of the bill are to further national security and improve the economy of the United States by providing grants (1) for the improvement of proficiency in critical languages, (2) for the improvement of elementary and secondary language instruction, and (3) to reimburse institutions of higher education to promote the growth and improve the quality of postsecondary foreign language instruction. The testimony includes the statements and prepared materials of James E. Alatis, Earl L. Backman, Richard L. McElheny, Ramon Santiago, and Congressman Paul Simon. (MSE)