English as the Official Language of the US Government

Library of Congress Website - Thomas ^ | 2/12/2007 | Rep. Peter King (R-IA)

[Loud Mime]

HR 997 IH

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 997

To declare English as the official language of the United States, to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to avoid misconstructions of the English language texts of the laws of the United States, pursuant to Congress' powers to provide for the general welfare of the United States and to establish a uniform rule of naturalization under article I, section 8, of the Constitution.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 12, 2007

Mr. KING of Iowa (for himself, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. SALI, Mrs. BACHMANN, Ms. FOXX, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. PENCE, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. BURGESS, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. SAXTON, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mr. LINDER, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky, and Mr. CULBERSON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To declare English as the official language of the United States, to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to avoid misconstructions of the English language texts of the laws of the United States, pursuant to Congress' powers to provide for the general welfare of the United States and to establish a uniform rule of naturalization under article I, section 8, of the Constitution.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `English Language Unity Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds and declares the following:

(1) The United States is comprised of individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and continues to benefit from this rich diversity.

(2) Throughout the history of the United States, the common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been the English language.

(3) Among the powers reserved to the States respectively is the power to establish the English language as the official language of the respective States, and otherwise to promote the English language within the respective States, subject to the prohibitions enumerated in the Constitution of the United States and in laws of the respective States.

SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.

(a) In General- Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

`CHAPTER 6--OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

`Sec. 161. Official language of the United States

`The official language of the United States is English.

`Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language

`Representatives of the Federal Government shall have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government. Such obligation shall include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the English language.

`Sec. 163. Official functions of Government to be conducted in English

`(a) Official Functions- The official functions of the Government of the United States shall be conducted in English.

`(b) Scope- For the purposes of this section, the term `United States' means the several States and the District of Columbia, and the term `official' refers to any function that (i) binds the Government, (ii) is required by law, or (iii) is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either the press or the public.

`(c) Practical Effect- This section shall apply to all laws, public proceedings, regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and policies, but does not apply to--

`(1) teaching of languages;

`(2) requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;

`(3) actions, documents, or policies necessary for national security, international relations, trade, tourism, or commerce;

`(4) actions or documents that protect the public health and safety;

`(5) actions or documents that facilitate the activities of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any census of population;

`(6) actions that protect the rights of victims of crimes or criminal defendants; or

`(7) using terms of art or phrases from languages other than English.

`Sec. 164. Uniform English language rule for naturalization

`(a) Uniform Language Testing Standard- All citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of the Constitution.

`(b) Ceremonies- All naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted in English.

`Sec. 165. Rules of construction

`Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--

`(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress or any officer or agent of the Federal Government, while performing official functions, from communicating unofficially through any medium with another person in a language other than English (as long as official functions are performed in English);

`(2) to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages (as defined in the Native American Languages Act);

`(3) to disparage any language or to discourage any person from learning or using a language; or

`(4) to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States.

`Sec. 166. Standing

`A person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a civil action (including an action under chapter 151 of title 28) obtain appropriate relief.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of chapters at the beginning of title 4, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 5 the following new item:

`Chapter 6. Official Language'.

SEC. 4. GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEXTS OF THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

(a) In General- Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`Sec. 8. General rules of construction for laws of the United States

`(a) English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the Laws of the United States; and

`(b) Any ambiguity in the English language text of the Laws of the United States shall be resolved, in accordance with the last two articles of the Bill of Rights, not to deny or disparage rights retained by the people, and to reserve powers to the States respectively, or to the people.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of title 1, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7 the following new item:

`8. General Rules of Construction for Laws of the United States.'.

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[Loud Mime]

Anybody interested in an important legislation ping list?

I could cover a bill every two weeks or so.

Let me know if you're interested in this.

[Loud Mime]

ping

[YellowRoseofTx]

I’m interested, thanks

[Loud Mime]

Here is where you can find your representative's contact numbers and addresses.

[Squat]

Great Idea and ping me. Thanks.

[YellowRoseofTx]

Illegal Aliens contributions to the U.S.A.:

1. Diseases
2. Gangs
3. Drugs
4. Crime
5. Poverty
6. “Press 1 for English”

[Cuchulain]

Count me in.

[AuntB]

JIm Inhofe is the man in the Senate who has pushed for the same English as a national language, fighting the libs all the way. His amendment passed 64 to ? last week.

He also has the best immigration reform package.

Common Sense ‘ENFORCE ACT’ introduced By Sen. Inhofe

Major Provisions in Inhofe’s ENFORCE Act:

· Establishes the National Border Neighborhood Watch (NBNW) Program allowing retired law enforcement officers to assist Border Patrol agents by reporting illegal border crossings.

· Makes unlawful-presence in the United States a felony.

· Establishes an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

· Authorizes funding for online immigration training for state and local law enforcement officers.

· **** Eliminates the practice of granting automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants in an effort to reduce ‘anchor babies.’******

· Establishes an independent verification system for Social Security numbers; also mandates that immigrant’s Social Security numbers expire when visa runs out.

· Establishes electronic birth & death registries to fight fraudulent Social Security cards

· Helps reduce Individual Taxpayer Identification Number abuse.

· Empowers state & local law enforcement to carryout immigration laws (but does not make it mandatory).

· Establishes penalties for most flagrant employer tax violations—i.e. if an employer willfully files incorrect tax returns, they will be assessed the maximum penalties available.

· Makes it illegal to operate day laborer centers for illegal aliens and to give them unemployment assistance.

· Eliminates in-state tuition benefits for illegal aliens. ###

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1837422/posts

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-1269

[Hornet19]

I’d appreciate being on your list. Thanks.

[YellowRoseofTx]

Common Sense ‘ENFORCE ACT’ introduced By Sen. Inhofe

I like this, he did good. We need to press for this.

[Tribune7]

Another good thing to do would be to make English as the commercial language of the U.S, namely to require that:

-- store be able to business in English at a customer's request

-- signage have English as the dominant language (this does not prohibit the use of other languages and exceptions could be made for things like store names, restaurant menus, products known by foreign names etc.)

-- an employer may discriminate on the basis of a job applicant not knowning English (note he could still hire that person, it's just that if he delcines on that basis he won't be subject to a lawsuit.)

[Loud Mime]

I like those ideas.

I think this legislation is THE important first step.

[Loud Mime]

OK, you’re the FIRST!

[donnab]

count me in please
and if we get a bill to go through stating English as the “official language” ...does this mean that i wont have to press one anymore for english...and that Lowes will take off Entrada from their entrances?

[Loud Mime]

Thank You VERY MUCH for that information. I like the Anchor Babies part...

[LantzALot]

6. “Press 1 for English”

7. Para Espanol, oprima el numero dos.

There. Fixed it.

[Grizzled Bear]

Let me know if you’re interested in this.

---

Please add me to this list FRiend.

GB

[LantzALot]

Interested.

[bobsunshine]

Good idea. Add me to your ping list.