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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2001
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Contact:
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Laura Macklem
202-833-0100
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U.S.ENGLISH Chairman Testifies In Salt Lake
Court For Official English Initative
(WASHINGTON DC) U.S.ENGLISH Chairman/CEO Mauro E. Mujica testified in Utah's Third
Judicial District Court in Salt Lake City today to clarify the intent of a recently
voter approved initiative, which declared English as the official language of Utah.
"In Utah there are approximately 120 languages spoken other than English,
and without Initiative A, Utah could be expected to provide services in all of
those languages. Initiative A ensures the efficient and fair workings of an open
government, and would not prevent anyone from speaking languages other than English."
"As an immigrant whose native language is Spanish, I embrace my culture and
native tongue. I speak Spanish at home with my wife and children, and would
encourage others to maintain their heritage. Initiative A is not about dividing,
it is about uniting all Americans through our common language - - English."
Last November, Utahns overwhelmingly voted to approve Initiative A with a vote of
67 percent in favor, and 33 percent against. U.S.ENGLISH worked closely with Utahns
For Official English to help promote the goal of making English the official language
of Utah.
While Initiative A would require government to conduct official business in
English, there are common sense exceptions in the measure to ensure the Constitutional
rights for all Utahns. Public health and safety information, law enforcement and
courtroom translation under certain circumstances are among these provisions. In
addition, Utah's Official English Law expressly permits the use of non-English
languages when necessary to comply with constitutional and federal law, including
the Native American Languages Act.
"Only by giving people a common language can we ensure that everyone has an equal
chance to achieve their dreams in American society," said Mujica. "As an immigrant
I have had the first-hand opportunity to observe the many positive impacts and
empowerment when immigrants learn English, the common language of the United States."
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