Official English Takes Prominent Role in Gubernatorial Races

Fueled by popular sentiment and pushes for official English legislation at every level of government, several gubernatorial candidates have made official English part of their campaign agenda in recent weeks. Over the past month, office seekers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa have been part of the growing debate on whether their respective state governments should promote assimilation and unification through official English policies.

• In Oklahoma, gubernatorial nominee Ernest Istook has announced that he supports making English the official language of Oklahoma. Istook, currently a member of Congress from Oklahoma, has been a long-time supporter of federal official English legislation, including co-sponsorship of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act.

• In Kansas, both candidates for governor, incumbent Kathleen Sebelius and challenger Jim Barnett, have expressed their support for making English the official language of the Sunflower State. Sebelius told reporters, "…it makes it easier for all of us to communicate, in school and in business, with English as the official language." Likewise, Barnett has announced his intent to work for official English if elected governor.

• In Iowa, gubernatorial nominee Chet Culver has vowed to repeal the Hawkeye State’s official English law if elected to the state's highest office, despite the popularity and success of the legislation. Culver is being opposed by current Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle, a long-time supporter of official English legislation, who is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act.

Recent polls have found that 85 percent of Americans favor making English the official language of the United States, and surveys regarding the enactment of official language legislation in the states have also demonstrated strong support. During 2006, legislative chambers in four states passed official English measures, including Arizona, where a proposal to make English the official language of the state will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot.

"In an increasingly diverse society, being able to communicate is the key to remaining one united nation," said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. "Americans understand that the best elected official is one that works toward assimilation and prosperity for all, not pandering to different groups based on language. I am pleased to see that official English is being embraced by many candidates and I look forward to the voters electing these pro-immigrant, pro-America candidates this November."

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.