Common Language Debate Heats Up as Weather Cools

Legislative leaders promoting English in state and federal government

Perhaps spurred on by the nearing of off-year elections, the unifying role of English has become a rallying point in many legislatures. In recent days, state legislators in Maryland and Pennsylvania have joined the growing momentum in Congress in support of common language legislation.

Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich, who last year was assailed for comments in support of assimilation, told a class at Towson University yesterday that he remains “absolutely” behind the ideal. When asked about the issue, Ehrlich told the class, “A multicultural society is doomed to failure… The goal is assimilation; it’s not separation.” The Maryland Governor did not get an opportunity to support the latest bill in Maryland, which was tabled by a vote in House committee this past spring. Earlier, measures to make English the official language of Maryland had passed the legislature in 1994 and 1998, but were vetoed by then-Governors Schaefer and Glendening.

Yesterday in Pennsylvania, House leaders announced the inclusion of official English legislation as part of their fall and winter legislative agenda. Behind the goal of strengthening the job climate, lowering taxes and reducing government waste, House Speaker John Perzel and Majority Leader Sam Smith vowed to eliminate state government mandates requiring multilingual documents and forms. Rep. Larry Sather has introduced the current bill (HB 2089) in Pennsylvania, where 84 percent of respondents to a 1995 poll favored making English the official language of the state.

At the federal level, H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act of 2005, has co-sponsorships from nearly one-third of the U.S. House of Representatives, making it one of the 50 most widely supported bills on Capitol Hill. Sponsored by Rep. Steve King, the legislation has received endorsements from 137 members of Congress covering 34 states. Currently, H.R. 997 is pending in the House Committee on the Judiciary as well as the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

“I am glad these leaders are listening to the overwhelming majority of their constituents who want to unite our nation under one common language,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English. “In a nation that remains diverse, we should focus on the aspects that bring us together rather than those that divide. Official English legislation is a win-win proposition that benefits all Americans.”

According to a 2005 Zogby poll, 79 percent of Americans favor making English the official language of the United States, with a higher degree of support among first and second generation Americans. Typical official English measures release the state from the burden of providing multilingual forms and translators, except in cases involving personal safety, tourism and trade. In addition, such measures often call upon the state to provide additional English language learning opportunities for immigrants.

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.