ProEnglish Backs Rep. King’s English Language Unity Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Phil Kent
Phone: (404) 226-3549

WASHINGTON, D.C.– ProEnglish, the nation’s leading advocate for official English, today praised the introduction of House Resolution 997 (“The English Language Unity Act”) by U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. It designates English as the nation’s official language of governmental operations and establishes a uniform language requirement for the citizen naturalization process.

“Our national unity is undermined by costly and divisive multilingual communications that are increasing from elected government officials,” says ProEnglish Executive Director Sam Pimm. “In past years ProEnglish testified on behalf of H.R. 997. This legislation has been thoroughly vetted, so the time is right to pass this bill out of committee for an up-or-down vote.”

“Recent Census figures revealed that 59 million people in the U.S. spoke a language other than English,” Pimm continues. “Obviously, maintaining a common language is critical for more effective communication and cultural cohesion. Congress must act to underscore the importance and need for English to be the official language of all government operations. After all, 32 states already have such laws.”

Pimm cites various polls showing large majorities of respondents believe English should be the nation’s official language. “In fact,” Pimm says, “polls in recent years also find that over 80 percent of whites, blacks and those of other ethnic backgrounds agree that requiring people to speak English is not a form of racism or bigotry.”

U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., plans to introduce a Senate companion bill to the English Language Unity Act.

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