News & Media

May 2008 - February 2008

May 2008 - February 2008

In a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol today, U.S. English, Inc. presented 130 members of Congress with “A in English” awards for their efforts to promote English as the unifying language of the United States. The recipients, who represent 37 states and both sides of the political aisle, were recognized by U.S. English, Inc. Chairman Mauro E. Mujica.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed S.B. 163 yesterday, putting the Sooner State one step closer to becoming the 31st state to unify under the common language of English. By a vote of 70-28, the House voted to send the measure to the Senate. If passed there, it would be presented to the voters on the November general election ballot.

Colorado Senator Dave Schulteis introduced legislation yesterday that would strengthen the state’s official English law. Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 proposes an amendment to the state Constitution that would declare English the state’s official language and require the overwhelming majority of state activities be conducted in English, with exceptions for areas such as public health, judicial proceedings, and foreign language instruction. The measure provides that final approval of the statute be conducted through a general ballot initiative.

Rep. Paul Broun introduced legislation today to make English the national language of the United States and clarify that there is no affirmative right to receive government services in languages other than English, except where required by federal law. Broun was joined by 26 other Representatives in introducing H.R. 5759, English as the Official Language Act of 2008. The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Iowa District Court Judge Douglas Staskal ruled today that the Iowa Secretary of State violated the state’s official English law by providing voter registration materials in foreign languages. The decision, in a case brought by U.S. English, U.S. Representative Steve King and eight Iowa citizens, including four County Auditors against Secretary of State Michael E. Mauro, represented the first legal test of official English legislation this decade.

Luzerne County [Pa.] Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. made headlines this week for ordering three Spanish speaking men to learn English or serve out their sentences in jail. The three men, who pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery on Tuesday, will be required to return in one year to take an English test. If they fail the test, the judge has told them that their parole will be revoked and they will be imprisoned.

The U.S. Senate voted 54-44 today to eliminate funding for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to prosecute English-in-the-Workplace lawsuits and instead use that money to increase funding for adult English classes.

The Wisconsin Assembly voted 57-40 early this morning to make English the official language of the state and require accountability for the printing of documents in other languages. This marks the first time that a bill to make English the official language has passed in a chamber of the Wisconsin legislature.

Sen. James Inhofe has introduced new legislation to make English the national language of the United States. Answering continued calls for Congress to unite the country under the common language of English, the Oklahoma Senator introduced S. 2715, the National Language Act of 2008, on March 6.

The Wisconsin House Committee on Jobs and the Economy today took public testimony on two measures that would make English the official language of the state - Assembly Bill 289 and Assembly Bill 806.

The Georgia House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Committee voted this afternoon to approve legislation that would strengthen the state’s official English law as enacted in 1996.

The Virginia House of Delegates passed legislation yesterday clarifying that Virginia employers have a right to institute an English-in-the-workplace policy. The 70-29 vote on House Bill 1472 sends the measure to the Senate for consideration.