West Virginia Poised to Become 28th State with Official English

Mountain State would be eighth in 10 years to unite behind one common language

After wide victories in both the House and Senate, a measure to enact English as the state’s official language was sent by the West Virginia legislature to Gov. Joe Manchin. With the signature of the governor, a past sponsor of common language legislation, the Mountain State will become the 28th state to adopt an official English policy.

“I commend the legislators of West Virginia for standing up for our common language,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English. “These forward-thinking men and women have listened to the call of West Virginians who want a united government, not a divided one. With 67 languages spoken in the Mountain State, official English legislation represents an opportunity to bring those languages and the speakers of those languages together as a united group of Americans.”

Official English legislation, which previously passed the Senate by a margin of 30-4, makes English the official language of the government of West Virginia and ensures that the state does not have an obligation to provide foreign language services. Like all bills supported by U.S. English, Inc., the legislation does not affect languages spoken in private conversation, in schools or in the home. Furthermore, the right to a translator in emergency and judicial situations would not be abridged.

With the passage of the bill, West Virginia will become the eighth state in the last 10 years to enact official English legislation, joining Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. At least four additional states, as well as the federal government now have official English measures pending in their legislature, a testament to the widespread support of common language legislation. According to a 2004 Zogby poll, more than 80 percent of Americans support making English the official language of the United States.

“I am sure that West Virginia will soon experience a significant rise in first-generation Americans, like many of its neighboring states are experiencing” continued Mujica. “With the passage of this law, the legislature is guiding immigrants through the doors that will ensure success in their new country. As an immigrant myself, I understand the importance of English for full participation in American life.”

U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan 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, Inc. (www.us-english.org) now has more than 2 million members.