Report From Congress (Wicker Supports English As Official Language Of The U.S.)

REPORT FROM CONGRESS
By Congressman Roger F. Wicker

WICKER SUPPORTS ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE U.S.

Legislation is pending in both Houses of Congress to make English the official language of the United States and require the federal government to conduct its business in English. I support this effort because it would promote unity, empower immigrants to participate fully in our society, and save taxpayer dollars.

The bill does not restrict individuals from speaking other languages or prohibit the private sector from using multiple languages in business operations. The English Language Unity Act would simply ensure a common means of communication and officially recognize that English is the language of America. English is the sole official language of 52 countries around the world. It is time to add the U.S. to that list.

More than half the states in the Union have enacted measures in some form designating English as their official language. Mississippi passed such legislation in 1987.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ESSENTIAL

The Census Bureau reports there are 322 different languages spoken in the U.S. Twenty-eight of those languages are spoken by at least 100,000 people, and many of these individuals do not know English. More than 12 million Americans are isolated from mainstream society because of their inability to speak the language. A lack of English proficiency often puts individuals on a low-skilled, low-income track. This legislation would encourage those non-English speakers to learn the language in order to take advantage of the economic and cultural benefits available to them in our country.

Our national motto is E pluribus unum -out of many, one. We are a nation of immigrants, but English has always been a unifying factor. In recent years, immigrants have been slower to learn English. This disturbing trend has been aided by action taken in the Clinton Administration directing that federal government services be offered in languages other than English.

SENDING MIXED MESSAGE

Making English our official language would replace the mixed message we are sending by printing ballots, tax forms, and other government documents in multiple languages. It would make clear that a knowledge of English is required to participate in the functions of our government.

This legislation would save tax dollars by eliminating the need to duplicate government services and the printing of millions of documents in multiple languages. It would also relieve many private sector firms from this expense since President Clinton's executive order included private entities receiving any federal funds or engaged in federal contract work.

AMERICANS FAVOR OVERWHELMINGLY

A 2006 Rasmussen Reports poll found that 85 percent of Americans surveyed favored making English our official language. A March 2006 Zogby International poll reported similar findings, with 84 percent of Americans in support. The U. S. has been an overwhelmingly English-speaking country since its creation, and its Constitution and founding documents were penned in English. While we value and respect diversity in our country, we should have one common, unifying, and official language.

http://www.house.gov/wicker/english.htm