Official English Constitutional Amendment Offered In Congress

U.S. English, Inc. ^ | 4/30/04 | Rob Toonkel

[wagglebee]

Aiming to unite all residents of the United States under one common language, Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) introduced a Constitutional Amendment that would declare English the official language of our nation. Reversing the recent tide of divisive and piecemeal multilingualism, H.J. Res. 94 would ensure that government business is conducted in English, providing a common ground for communication and understanding.

First proposed by Senator and U.S. English, Inc. founder S.I. Hayakawa, legislation that would make English the official language of the United States has been one of the most widely supported measures in the past 20 years. More than 550 members of Congress from each of the 50 states have either co-sponsored or voted for official English legislation, including 104 co-sponsors of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act, in the 108th Congress. To date, five members – Reps. Doolittle (CA), King (IA), Burton (IN), Bartlett (MD) and Jones (NC) – have joined as original co-sponsors of H.J. Res. 94.

“With the growing number of limited English proficient residents of the United States, Rep. Goode’s amendment could not have come at a more crucial time,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English. “More than 21.3 million Americans suffer because they struggle with English, unable to get better-paying jobs, converse with emergency personnel or help their children with homework. It is unfortunate that many of our political leaders make no effort to help immigrants with the most critical link to higher income and escaping poverty – learning English.

“I and the 1.8 million members of U.S. English salute Rep. Goode for his pro-American efforts and hope that his colleagues will consider this bill in a swift manner.”

U.S.ENGLISH is the nation's oldest and largest citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States (website: www.usenglish.org). Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S.ENGLISH now has more than 1.8 million members nationwide.

[wagglebee]

If I was living in Mexico, I would need to become fluent in Spanish to function in Society, or French in France, etc. Why should the United States become a PC hodgepodge of multi-linguism? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, America had an influx of non-English speaking immigrants, nearly all of whom learned our language and made America a better place.

[tet68]

It's time has come.

[teletech]

If I was living in Mexico, I would need to become fluent in Spanish to function in Society, or French in France, etc. Why should the United States become a PC hodgepodge of multi-linguism? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, America had an influx of non-English speaking immigrants, nearly all of whom learned our language and made America a better place.

Makes sense to me.

[squidly]

Yup. Most countries have an official language, and with good reason.

[NCjim]

First proposed by Senator and U.S. English, Inc. founder S.I. Hayakawa

Wow - I remember reading of him in my high school English classes in the early 60s!

[muawiyah]

Most countries have "official languages", and with good reason.

[Balding_Eagle]

This is going to be a bitter fight. Shouldn't be, should be a slam dunk.

[DustyMoment]

Sen. S.I. Hayakawa was virtually laughed off the Senate floor for proposing this same Amendment. Of course the Democrats were in control of the Senate, then. Today, the Democrats are still control of the Senate, they just let the Republicans SAY that they are in the majority.

It remains to be seen whether the Dems will allow this to pass. There is popular support in the US for it, but that has never swayed the leftists. Hopefully, as another posted noted, it's time really has come.

If we are ever going to save this Republic, it must start with having a common language. Start letting your elected representatives know that you want to see it pass.

[NewRomeTacitus]

http://www.us-english.org/inc/

[wagglebee]

Thanks for the TR quote, he was something of an anti-capitalist, but a GREAT patriot.

[Dick Grayson]

Who would have thought that we ever would have had to declare English the official language of the U.S.!!

[TSgt]

We have Engrish as our national language. Not English.

http://www.engrish.com/

[Tanniker Smith]

Do we need a Constitutional amendment to declare a national language?

[k2blader]

Bump!

English *should* be made our official language.

[freekitty]

I think this is one of the best ideas yet.

[Cobra64]

Unfortunately, this will never happen. Blacks and Chiconos won't let it pass. I don't speek Spanish, an no Jessee's Youbonikxs.

[bayourod]

"It remains to be seen whether the Dems will allow this to pass.

Republicans won't even let it pass.

In about 1986 we put the question on the Republican primary ballot in Texas. It passed with 97% of the the vote. The next time I saw the Republican Governor I asked him if he would support legislation and he just laughed in my face.

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

"I think this is one of the best ideas yet."

You took the words right out of my mouth! If people want to live here then learn English. When our Founding Fathers considered this I thought the issue was closed.
I learn something new everyday.

[DustyMoment]

Was that Bill What's-His-Name whom we managed to sandwich in between the two Mark White terms? Given the political climate in Texas, at the time, I can kind of understand his reaction. Times have changed and, depending on the mood in the Senate, it may have a slim chance.

VERY slim, but a chance.

[freekitty]

This also seems to be one of the points of the liberal agenda and that is to fill our country with all cultures along with using all languages. Using English as the official language would really put a dent in this.