The terrorist attacks of September 11th, the Global War on Terrorism, and the continued threat to the Homeland have defined the critical need to take action to improve the foreign language and cultural capabilities of the Nation. The government must act now to improve the gathering and analysis of information, advance international diplomacy, and support military operations. They must act to retain the global market leadership and succeed against increasingly sophisticated competitors whose workforces possess potent combinations of professional skills, knowledge of other cultures, and multiple language proficiencies. The domestic well-being demands action to provide opportunities for all students to learn foreign languages important for the Nation, develop the capabilities of their heritage communities, and ensure services that are core to the quality of life. This White Paper responds to the urgent need for a national strategy on foreign languages and cultural competency. It is the result of an unprecedented gathering of language and policy experts drawn from Federal, state, and local government; elementary, secondary and postsecondary education; heritage language communities; and the private/commercial sector. This White Paper presents recommendations designed to build the ability of Americans to operate more effectively inside and outside the country's borders in languages and cultures that are critical to the Nation?s future. The time for deliberation on this subject has passed. Now is the time for action. A new vision must be realized.