U.S. ENGLISH CHAIRMAN PRAISES INTRODUCTION
OF IDAHO'S OFFICIAL ENGLISH BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. ENGLISH, the nation's oldest and largest non-profit
organization dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in
the United States, today signaled its support of a bill introduced by Sen.
Sheila Sorensen (R-13), Chair, Senate State Affairs Committee, that would make
English the official language of Idaho.
"We commend Sen. Sorensen for her bold and historic bill, S.1469, which would make
English the official language of Idaho," said U.S. ENGLISH Chairman and CEO
Mauro E. Mujica. "Twenty-six states already have some form of Official English
law on the books, and like Idaho, others also are considering similar legislation.
"Having English as the state's common language will save taxpayers money,
encourage immigrants to learn English, and allow all Idahoans to communicate
with each other," said Mujica. "That's critical in the Gem State where today
104 languages other than English are spoken and where residents can take their
driver's license exam in six different languages, including Arabic, Serbo-Croatian,
Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and English.
"As far as we're concerned, Sen. Sorensen's thoughtful bill couldn't come at
a better time," said Mujica. "U.S. ENGLISH has the support of some 8,300 members
who reside in the Gem State, and we're confident that S.1469 will help unify all
Idahoans by giving them a common language that they can use to communicate with
each other. This is especially important since Idaho is experiencing a profound
growth in its immigrant population."
Recognizing that fluency in English is necessary for full integration into the
American culture, S.1469 would require Idaho's government to conduct official
business in English. Specifically, S.1469 would make it so all "official
documents, rules, orders, transactions, proceedings, programs, meetings,
publications or actions taken or issued, which are conducted or regulated by,
on behalf of, or representing the state and all of its political subdivisions
shall be in the English language." Numerous sensible exceptions are included
in the bill to protect the well-being of all Idahoans, including public health
and safety information, law enforcement, tourism, and foreign language instruction,
to name just a few.
"Sen. Sorensen's bill does not prevent anyone from speaking languages other
than English nor does it take away a person's heritage or culture by encouraging
him or her to learn the state's common language; it simply mandates the state
government to conduct its business in English," said Mujica. "Only by giving
people a common language can we ensure that everyone has an equal chance to go
as far as their skills, talent, and dreams take them.
"As an immigrant from Chile, I know first-hand the obstacles facing non-English
speakers and understand that knowing English is the key to unlocking opportunities
and realizing the American Dream," said Mujica.
"In this nation of immigrants, speaking a common language: English, is a symbol
of our unity much like the flag and the Declaration of Independence," said Mujica.
"We urge the Idaho Legislature to swiftly pass S.1469 into law so that all Idahoans
have an equal chance for success. To do less is simply un-American."
U.S.ENGLISH is the nation's oldest,
largest citizens' action group dedicated to preserving
the unifying role of the English language in the United
States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of
California, U.S.ENGLISH now has more than 1.5 million
members nationwide, and more than 8,300 in the State of Idaho.
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