Support for Making English the Official Language Strong in Michigan

74 percent of likely voters desire common language policy for state government

Nearly three-in-four Michigan voters support making English the official language of the state, according to a recent poll by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. The survey found that the overwhelming majority of Great Lakes State residents want the state to conduct business in English, including strong majorities within each political party. The survey of 625 likely voters was conducted Sept. 19-21, 2006 and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent.

“Americans have long called for English to be made our official language, and the residents of Michigan are no exception,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. “A focus on English acquisition is a pro-immigrant, pro-America policy that leads to increased incomes, increased participation in society, and most important, increased growth for residents and the state. The passage of official English legislation through the House this year demonstrated the devotion of many legislators to this important cause.”

In May, the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation that would have made English the official English language of the state. H.B. 5633, introduced by Rep. Jack Hoogendyk, was approved by a bi-partisan margin of 73-32. This measure, which represented the most significant achievement for an official English bill in the Great Lakes State, was approved by a Senate committee, but not considered by the entire Senate before the end of the session.

Making English the official language of a state calls upon the government to conduct business in English and limit governmental multilingualism to common-sense activities such as health care, public safety, judicial proceedings and tourism. To date, 27 states have English as their official language, and H.R. 997, Congressional legislation promoting this policy at the federal level, has become one of the most widely supported bills in the 109th Congress.

“The results of this poll demonstrate that Michigan voters stand behind the measure considered during the most recent session of the legislature,” continued Mujica. “It is my hope that residents will continue to seek out legislators who will look for ways to keep our diverse people united instead of separating them along language lines. I look forward to working with members of the House and Senate to enact official English legislation in Michigan in 2007.”

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.