Official English Legislation Passes West Virginia Senate, 30-4

Senate Bill 12, sponsored by Sen. Larry Edgell, garnered support from legislators across the state. The legislation would make English the official language of West Virginia and ensures that the state does not have an obligation to provide foreign language services. The legislative success marks the second time in two years that the West Virginia Senate has overwhelmingly supported unifying the state under one common language.

“I am heartened by the efforts of Sen. Edgell and his colleagues on behalf of the voters of West Virginia,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. “The legislators have been listening to the vast majority of West Virginians and understand that a common language has been crucial in unifying our diverse society. It is my sincere hope the House will pick up the bill and send it to the governor for his signature.”

According to the U.S. Census, 67 languages are spoken in West Virginia, including 27 in the Charleston Metropolitan Area. More than 13,000 West Virginians struggle with English, and 2,300 West Virginia households have no resident over the age of 14 who can speak English proficiently.

“Americans are realizing that we cannot go forward as one nation if we cannot communicate,” continued Mujica. “English has been the language for millions of native-born Americans and for millions of immigrants who came to this nation for a better life for themselves. For generations, people have come together to keep our nation strong. In order to continue this tradition, we must never be an ‘English-only’ society, but we also must never become an ‘English-optional’ society.”