Declaring English the official language means that official government business at all levels must be conducted solely in English. This includes all public documents, records, legislation and regulations, as well as hearings, official ceremonies and public meetings.

Official English legislation contains common-sense exceptions permitting the use of languages other than English for such things as public health and safety services, judicial proceedings (although actual trials would be conducted in English), foreign language instruction and the promotion of tourism.

In 1996, U.S.ENGLISH was instrumental in passing H.R. 123, "The Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1996." That bill, making English the official language of the U.S. government, passed in the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 259-169. Unfortunately, the Senate did not act on the bill before the end of the session. Currently, U.S.ENGLISH is working with Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia and Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama to help pass official English bills in the 106^th Congress.

Twenty-five states have some form of official English law. Most recently, Missouri and Alaska passed official English legislation in 1998. U.S.ENGLISH is currently working in several states to pass official English bills.

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This page was last updated 04/26/99.

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