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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 3, 1997

Contact:

Tim Schultz
800/787-8216
202/833-0100

U.S. SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO STRIKE DOWN OFFICIAL ENGLISH LAW

WASHINGTON, D.C.Mauro E. Mujica, the Chairman and CEO of U.S.ENGLISH, praised todays Supreme Court decision in a case involving a woman who challenged Arizonas official English amendment to its state constitution. U.S.ENGLISH had argued that since the woman had long ago left her job in the state government, the case was "moot" and had no legal standing.

"In this ruling," Mujica said, "the Court used essentially the same wording contained in the amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief that U.S.ENGLISH filed. From the outset we felt the merits of the case were not constitutional in nature and were instead merely procedural issues. I am pleased the Justices saw it the same way."

In 1988 the voters of Arizona passed a referendum making English the states language of government and mandating that all state official business be conducted in English. U.S.ENGLISH had spearheaded that legislation. The law was challenged by state employee Maria-Kelley Yniguez, who argued that the new provision was unconstitutional.

Mondays unanimous opinion, delivered by Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, vacated the Ninth Circuits ruling which had propelled the case to the Supreme Court. The decision also issued instructions that the District Court dismiss the case.

"This should be a clear indication to the lower courts that it is inappropriate to tamper with the will of the people after they have exercised their vote within the democratic process," said Mujica.

With membership over 1.3 million, U.S.ENGLISH is the largest citizens action group committed to making English the official language of the U.S. government at all levels. Currently 23 states have enacted legislation adopting English as their common language.

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