shorter+business+letter

November 2, 2009 Mr. Chris Nelson, President Kemin Industries, Inc. 2100 Maury Street Des Moines, Iowa USA 50317

Dear Mr. Nelson,

Kemin Industries has already demonstrated support for cultural awareness and language skills as a strong business in the Des Moines area, with a distinct presence throughout the world. As a member of the Iowa World Language Association, I am writing to seek your support for its position statement on the need to include world languages in the Iowa Core Curriculum. A copy of the position statement is enclosed with this letter. To be well prepared for the 21st Century, the Iowa World Language Association believes that all of Iowa’s students should have the opportunity to study a world language as a core content area in the Iowa Core Curriculum. Iowa’s students should have the opportunities that students in surrounding states now have: to begin the study of world languages and cultures in early elementary school and to continue their study, uninterrupted, through high school and college. In 2006 the Committee for Economic Development published a report entitled “Education for Global Leadership: The Importance of International Studies and Foreign Language Education for U.S. Economic and National Security” in which it noted that to succeed in overseas markets U.S. companies of all sizes must have employees with knowledge of world languages and cultures and with overseas experience. The Iowa World Language Association asks that you write a letter of support for the inclusion of world languages in the Iowa Core Curriculum. Because I know you are very busy, I have enclosed a sample letter that you may modify. If your letter is received by November 13 it will be presented to the Iowa Department of Education together with the position statement and other letters of support from Iowa leaders in education and business. Please address your letter of support to: Sara Blanco President, Iowa World Language Association c/o Carrie Mulvihill 1323 Victoria Circle Norwalk, IA 50211 We thank you for your support in this important matter. Sincerely, Tammy Dann 1700 47th Street Des Moines, IA 50310 Enclosures