Sen. Alexander to Introduce Resolution in Support of Anthem in English

Action to promote English recitation of anthem, pledge follows release of Nuestro Himno

Sen. Lamar Alexander will introduce a resolution today that declares that certain symbols that bind Americans together should be delivered in English. The measure, which, declares the Sense of the Senate, calls for “statements or songs that symbolize the unity of the American Nation” to “be recited or sung in the common language of the United States: English.” Sen Alexander’s resolution follows the release of “Nuestro Himno,” a Spanish language version of the Star Spangled Banner which also alters several of the anthem’s lines.

“At a time when America needs to focus on assimilation, Sen. Alexander’s resolution strikes exactly the right note,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. “As one nation with one flag, one anthem and one common language, we should be embracing these icons, not losing them in translation. I hope that the Senate – and the nation – will join me in enthusiastically supporting Senator Alexander’s efforts.”

Last week, a vast majority of Americans, including President Bush, reacted in horror when a group of artists released “Nuestro Himno,” a version of the national anthem based on Francis Scott Key’s prized work. In addition to translating the words into Spanish, the song contains lyrics such as “somos hermanos” [we are brothers] and “es tiempo de romper las cadenas” [it’s time to break the chains]. An alternate version expected to hit the airwaves next month contains even more lyrics never penned by Key.

The resolution is the latest language policy debate in conjunction with immigration reform. During the last consideration of immigration policy in the 1980s, resolutions making English the official language passed as widely supported provisions of three different Senate bills. Recently, a 2005 survey by Zogby International found that 79 percent of Americans support making English the official language of the United States, including 81 percent of first- and second-generation Americans.

Sen. Alexander’s resolution is expected to be debated on the Senate floor this week.

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.