News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact:	Tim Schultz
February 11, 1999
		202/833-0100
		800/787-8216

OFFICIAL ENGLISH MEASURE WILL BE BACK
INITIATIVE EFFORT WILL FOCUS ON NOVEMBER 2000 BALLOT

U.S.ENGLISH Chairman/CEO Mauro E. Mujica today vowed that the latest vote in the Utah House against English as the state’s official language would not be the last word on the matter. The vote on a substitute Official English bill by Rep. Tammy Rowan (R-Orem) was much narrower than last month’s vote against the Official English Initiative. Over 56,000 Utahns had signed petitions to bring the initiative before the legislature.

"Utahns overwhelmingly support making English the official language of their government," said Mujica. "Some politicians may think they can shirk their duty to represent their constituents, but I believe that when the public has their say, English will be the official language of Utah."

Under Utah law, after a citizen initiative is rejected by the legislature, additional signatures may be gathered to put the measure on the ballot in the next general election. Based on current estimates, signature gatherers would have over one year to collect 29,000 signatures. "Our members is Utah are determined to pass this initiative," Mujica continued, "and we will do everything in our power to help them. We will work with our members to expose the politicians who oppose our common language. When given a chance to vote, I’m certain that the people of Utah will show the courage that the politicians lack. The politicians may have won this day, but on Election Day 2000, the people will have the last word."

U.S.ENGLISH is the nation’s oldest, largest citizens’ action group dedicated to making English the official language of the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S.ENGLISH now has more than 1.3 million members nationwide, including over 9,000 in Utah.

Remember to go to the Navigation view in Front Page Explorer and place the release either under the page for category in which it goes or else in the general Press Releases page.

Remember to edit the Press Releases page to include a link to this page.

###

U.S.ENGLISH, Inc. | Home Page | U.S.ENGLISH Foundation

Copyright © 1999 by U.S.ENGLISH, Inc.
WARNING: Any citation of  the material contained in this website must credit U.S.ENGLISH. No portion of this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any way without the express permission of U.S.ENGLISH. Copyright violations will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

This page was last updated 07/09/99.

We rated with .