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South Carolina Senators Approve Reduction of Government Multilingualism

Subcommittee vote sends bill to full Judiciary Committee

A South Carolina Senate Judiciary subcommittee approved legislation yesterday that would strengthen the state's official English law, originally enacted in 1987. The bill, S. 857, introduced by Senate President Glenn McConnell, would prohibit state agencies from providing documents and forms in languages other than English, including exams such as those for driver's licenses. The legislation would not bar oral assistance in other languages, and exempts printed information required by federal law.

"When South Carolina legislators made English the state's official language in 1987, they intended to send a message about the importance of assimilation and language learning," said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. "Unfortunately, state agencies have not followed through on the intent of the law. By offering such things as driver's license exams in French, Spanish, and German, they are sending a message to immigrants that English acquisition is optional.

"The passage of S. 857 is necessary to bring these agencies in line with the sentiments of the legislators and the majority of South Carolina residents. I want to thank Sen. McConnell for his leadership and look forward to working with South Carolina legislators to quickly move this unifying measure through the legislative process."

Following passage by the subcommittee, the measure will be heard by the full Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

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.usenglish.org) now has more than 1.8 million members.