U.S. ENGLISH, Inc.: Towards a United America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 1997

Contact:

Tim Schultz
800/787-8216
202/833-0100

NEW U.S.ENGLISH POLL FINDS TWO-THIRDS OF PUERTO RICANS DO NOT CONSIDER THEMSELVES AMERICAN

WASHINGTON, D.C.As the U.S. Congress considers legislation to allow Puerto Rico to possibly become the 51st state, a June 9-11 poll commissioned by U.S.ENGLISH, Inc., revealed that 65% of Puerto Ricans do not consider themselves to be American. Although they are born U.S. citizens, only 16% of the Puerto Ricans surveyed considered themselves to be American despite Puerto Rico's association with the United States for almost 100 years. Of the 600 surveyed, less than 14% were sufficiently proficient in English to answer the questions. The rest had to be interviewed in Spanish.

On May 21, 1997, the Resources Committee of the House of Representatives passed H.R. 856, a bill introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), to allow voters in Puerto Rico to decide by 1998 if the island should become a state, get its independence, or retain its commonwealth status. The current legislation before Congress does not contain a requirement that English be made the official language of Puerto Rico. An April survey commissioned by U.S.ENGLISH Inc. found that 74% of all Americans favor requiring Puerto Rico to make English its sole official language prior to becoming a state. Among Puerto Ricans, polls have revealed an overwhelming preference for Spanish.

"This new poll clearly demonstrates that an official English language requirement is not only a reasonable condition of statehood for Puerto Rico but a needed one," observed U.S.ENGLISH, Inc. Chairman Mauro E. Mujica. "An official English requirement is supported by the great majority of the American people."

Mujica continued, "Without an official English requirement for Puerto Rico, the United States would be creating its own Quebec with the addition of a Spanish speaking state. To join the 'melting pot' of American culture as our 51st state, Puerto Rico must accept the common language of our culture. Without English as the official language of Puerto Rico, its people will never be able to participate fully in our American lifestyle and become part of the United States."

The poll also revealed that a majority of Puerto Ricans, 57%, support a requirement for a super-majority of at least 75% of the popular vote for statehood, before its adoption.

U.S.ENGLISH, Inc. is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to enacting laws to make English the official language of government. The group was founded in 1983 by the late Senator S.I. Hayakawa of California and has over 1.3 million members.

(The poll of 600 adults was conducted by American Viewpoint, Inc., from June 9-11, 1997, with a margin of error of ± 4.1%.) Copyright (c) 1997 by U.S.ENGLISH, Inc.

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