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U.S. English Calls for Action on Michigan Official English Bills

October 26, 2011

Washington, DC—U.S.English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica today called for action on two bills that are awaiting further action by the Michigan State House and Senate.

If passed, H.B. 4906, introduced by State Representative Ken Kurtz, and S.B. 638, introduced by State Senator Roger Kahn, would make Michigan the 32nd state to recognize English as its official language. 

“A common language is the only way to ensure that the diverse people of the United States remain united as one,” Chairman Mujica said. “I urge the Michigan State Legislature to act swiftly to pass these two important bills. When the government recognizes English as its official language, immigrants become more motivated to learn it, leading to their improved social and economic success.”

While both bills would declare English as the state’s official language, neither would have an impact on foreign language instruction or the use of other languages in religious services, non-government businesses or private conversations. In 2006, Michigan came close to establishing official English, passing a bill in the State House by a bipartisan vote of 73-32 and clearing it through a Senate Committee before stalling on the Senate floor.

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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.


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