U.S. ENGLISH, Inc.: Towards a United America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2001

Contact:

Laura Macklem
202-833-0100

U.S.ENGLISH Chairman Pleased With National Democrats' Endorsement Of Official English

(WASHINGTON DC) U.S.ENGLISH Chairman/CEO Mauro E. Mujica said today he was pleased to learn the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) supports making English the official language of the United States. The DCCC sent a direct mail piece defending official English legislation. (Please see attachments, two pages.)

"I was very surprised to read the direct mail piece issued to constituents in New York's Second Congressional District, where they actually criticized a candidate for not supporting official English legislation," said Mujica. "We see this as a sign that the DCCC not only agrees with official English legislation, but feels so strongly they made it a sole issue in a direct mail piece."

The negative campaign was waged against Republican Joan Johnson, who was seeking to fill Congressman Rick Lazio's seat in the Second Congressional District of New York. However, Johnson lost to Democrat Steve Israel. Johnson would have been the first black woman to be elected as a Republican Member of Congress.

In the direct mail piece, the DCCC asserts, "The English language is the common bond for all Americans. It is the one constant in our diverse society. It unites us as one people, despite any cultural differences we may have." The mailer also charges that in voting against official English legislation, Johnson would "divide us." The DCCC also states in the mailer that "making English our official language will promote unity and empower immigrants to learn the language skills necessary for success in today's economy."

"We have always worked to ensure the issue of official English legislation was not a Republican or Democrat issue, and now that we know the DCCC's stand on official English, perhaps we can work together to promote our common language," said Mr. Mujica. "We are impressed that the DCCC has broken ranks with the powerful Democratic National Committee, which has fought official English legislation because it 'discriminates against non-English speaking individuals living in the United States.'

"We applaud the DCCC for standing up for the unity and opportunity by supporting official English, even if it means defying their own national party. We look forward to working with the DCCC during the 107th Congress on this issue."

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