Free Republic

Inhofe Amendment could harm U.S. citizens and immigrants From: National Immigration Law Center May 19, 2006 On Thursday, May 18, as part of the immigration bill (S.2611), the Senate passed an "English-only" amendment offered by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), which could deny a wide array of services and critical information to millions of people living in the United States who are not fully English proficient. The amendment passed 63-34. In general, the amendment makes English the "national" language and could undermine efforts by federal agencies to protect health and safety for all residents, citizens as well as immigrants. For more...

The debate over illegal immigration could not conceivably take place without the Democrats playing the race card. Harry Reid did just that with regards to making English the official language of the United States. What she fails to realize, however, is that the Democrats have played the race card so often in recent years that the American people are desensitized to it. The country has come together on the issue of illegal immigration and the momentum will not be stopped by the likes of Dingy Harry. The Democrats are fond of pointing out that this nation was built by immigrants....

Arizona may become the 28th state to make English its official language, if Gov. Janet Napolitano signs the bill that's now waiting on her desk. The Arizona Senate gave the measure final approval this week. Mauro E. Mujica, the chairman of a group called U.S. English Inc., urged Napolitano (D) to sign the bill. "English remains the key tool for full participation in American life," Mujica said in a press release. He said more than 500,000 Arizonans struggle because they can't speak English, which prevents them from getting better jobs, helping their children with homework, or speaking with their neighbors....

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Two days after the end of the legislative session, state lawmakers are discovering something few were aware of: They voted to make English the official language of West Virginia. The language amendment was quietly inserted into a bill addressing the number of members that cities can appoint to boards of parks and recreation. Among mundane details about record-keeping, the amendment adds the provision that "English shall be the official language of the State of West Virginia." Senate Majority Whip Billy Wayne Bailey successfully offered that change to House Bill 2782 amid a flurry of bills moving...

West Virginia Makes English Its Official Language Measure Inserted Into Bill as Amendment AP People gather outside the West Virginia Capitol on Saturday, the last day of the legislative session. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (April 12) - Two days after the end of the legislative session, state lawmakers are discovering something few were aware of: They voted to make English the official language of West Virginia. The language amendment was quietly inserted into a bill addressing the number of members that cities can appoint to boards of parks and recreation. Among mundane details about record-keeping, the amendment adds the provision that "English...

   Contact Your Representative Contact Your Senators Home PageTwo Bill Page Nation World Finance House Senate GovWebs State & Local Orgs Petitions Feedback 109th 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's 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...

A Republican delegate says he will force a floor vote on his bill to designate English as the official state language if a House committee rejects his legislation today. Delegate Pat McDonough of Baltimore County said he expects the House Health and Government Operations Committee to reject his bill today because he has only nine of the 13 votes needed for passage. "We are going to try to get this bill voted on on the floor through an amendment or something," he said, "because we think the entire House of Delegates needs to go on record." House Deputy Majority Whip...

From the article: I know, I know. You've heard it all before. It seems every couple of years a congressman will raise this issue and, after he has let his constituents back home see that he is an "All American" guy, he lets it die a quite, ignominious death. Well, we have the issue on the table once again. Representative Steve King (R, Iowa 5th Dist.) introduced the "English Language Unity Act of 2005" in the first week of March. Yes, another bill seeking to make English the official language of the country is being proposed by a politician seeking...

THE WASHINGTON TIMES America is awash in foreign languages, even in rural areas, and some members of Congress say that is building support to declare English the nation's official language. U.S. English Inc., an advocacy group working for a declaration that English is the official language, says it found that 322 languages are spoken in the country, and 24 of those languages are spoken in every state and the District. California has the most languages spoken, with 207, while Wyoming had the fewest with 56. Click to learn more... Their report, released last week, follows closely Rep. Steve King's introduction...

PHOENIX - The House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to declare English the state's official language. The prime sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said the use of Spanish and other languages damages national unity. Pearce's bill won support from the Republican-dominated committee in a 6-3 party-line vote. "In the name of diversity, we continue to promote and encourage people to speak other languages," Pearce said, comparing the practice to spoiling a child by providing a car, an allowance and a place to stay. "Pretty soon, if you're good enough to him there's no need for them to go...

Gov. Vilsack announces Secret Plan to Reverse Official English Law U.S. English, Inc. Chairman blasts Vilsack pledge to repeal law On Tuesday, Des Moines Register political columnist David Yepsen reported that Governor Tom Vilsack gave a private address to the Democratic Convention to the party’s Latino Caucus, at which he promised to repeal the bill he signed in 2002 that made English the state’s official language. “There is something particularly unseemly about the governor of Iowa telling a backroom audience in Massachusetts that he will seek the repeal of legislation he has signed,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of...

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...