U.S ENGLISH Opposes ACLU Challenge Of Court Decision Upholding Official English Law

Attorney General Shurtleff Plans To Defend Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S.ENGLISH and Utahns for Official English filed a formal opposition April 12, to the ACLU's efforts to block a judge's decision, which upheld the constitutionality of Initiative "A," the Utah Official English law. Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said he also plans to file his own formal opposition today.

"The ACLU is once again thumbing their nose at the will of Utah voters - they want to again attempt to usurp the will of the people," said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman/CEO of U.S.ENGLISH. "The people have spoken, the court has spoken, but the ACLU will not accept either, and are initiating yet another legal challenge in an effort to kill official English."

Initiative "A," which made English the official language of Utah, was passed with 67 percent of Utahns voting in favor last November. However, the ACLU challenged the new law, but lost in a March 5, 2001 ruling. Utah's Third Judicial District Court affirmed the constitutionality of Initiative "A," recognizing that it respects the fundamental rights of all Utahns.

Attorney General Shurtleff said he will "vigorously defend the law," and also will file a formal opposition to the ACLU's attempt to challenge the judge's decision. Chief Deputy of the Utah Attorney General's Office, Ray Hintze, voiced the attorney general's support.

Said Hintze, "The Office of the Attorney General defends the laws of the state of Utah and it will defend this law as well."

U.S.ENGLISH Counsel Lisa Watts-Baskin recognized the importance of the attorney general's support in this case. "On behalf of the Intervenors, we are pleased that Attorney General Shurtleff is fully committed to defending this statute," said Baskin.

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.