News & Media

December 2008 - January 2008

December 2008 - January 2008

This month, legislation to make English the official language was pre-filed in the Nevada legislature. A.B. 70, which will be considered when the Nevada legislature convenes in 2009, was introduced by Assemblyman Lynn Stewart.

In this edition of the U.S. English, Inc. Insider, Director of Government Relations Tim Schultz speaks about new legislation introduced in the South Carolina legislature. The bill, S. 3 would strengthen South Carolina’s official English law.

In this edition of the U.S. English, Inc. Insider, Director of Government Relations Tim Schultz discusses the 2009 legislative strategy in the states. Schultz speaks about the various types of bills U.S. English will be lobbying for in the 20 states that have yet to pass official English laws and the 30 states which already have some form of official English on the books.

After 16 years in the Idaho Legislature, Rep. Bill Sali was elected to Congress in 2006. During his two-year term representing Idaho’s First Congressional District, Rep. Sali has fought to reduce government multilingualism and promote policies that encourage English fluency.

Since 2005, Rep. Tom Price has represented Georgia’s Sixth District in Congress. Recently re-elected to a third term, Rep. Price has been a strong supporter of official English legislation, co-sponsoring H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act, and introducing legislation that would protect employers who institute English-in-the-workplace policies.

In his first term representing the 10th Congressional District of Georgia, Rep. Paul Broun (GA) has become one of the leading supporters of common language legislation in Congress. A co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act, and the lead sponsor of H.R. 5759, the English as the Official Language Act, Rep. Broun has worked tirelessly to promote the unifying bond of English.

Missouri passed an official English ballot initiative... 150 dedicated official English supporters were elected to Congress… new-look state legislatures prepare to begin business… what does it all mean for official English legislation in 2009?

Rep. Tom Price, the lead sponsor of H.R. 4464, speaks with U.S. English about the importance of a common language in a work environment.

When Bill Sali ran for Congress in 2006, he promised his Idaho constituents that he would fight to make English the official language. After he was elected, Rep. Sali followed through on that promise, backing efforts to make English the official language, reduce government multilingualism, and protect employers who establish English-in-the-Workplace policies.

As a state Senator in Iowa, Steve King led the fight to make English the official language of the state. After his election to Congress in Nov. 2002, Rep. King has become one of the nation’s leaders to make English the official language of the United States. In the 108th, 109th and 110th Congresses, Rep. King introduced H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act, which has become one of the most widely supported bills of the decade.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (CA) has been a strong supporter of official English legislation since coming to Congress in 1989. Now in his 10th term representing portions of southern California, he speaks with U.S. English about the importance of making English the official language of the United States. He also shares his thoughts about the linguistic divisions that are occurring in the United States and how our common language of English can bridge the differences in our diverse society.

In April, Rep. Paul Broun (GA) introduced legislation to make English the national language of the United States. The bill, H.R. 5759, has since collected more than 35 co-sponsors. In this interview with U.S. English, Inc. Rep. Broun explains the effects of the English as the Official Language Act and why passage of the bill is so critical for our country.

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx of North Carolina speaks with U.S. English representatives about H.R. 7092, new legislation that would require government agencies to disclose the costs associated with providing multilingual documents and translations.

As the Republican convention kicks off in Minnesota, the idea of making English the official language of the United States was highlighted in the newly unveiled 2008 Republican Platform. Calling the English Language “one sign of our unity” and “the fastest route to prosperity in America” the platform makes official English legislation a cornerstone of the effort to maintain our common values and what unites us as one nation.

Today’s Newsday reports that while commentators and editorial writers have been up in arms about the LPGA’s new requirement that players on tour learn English or risk being suspended, there’s one extremely notable group which isn’t opposing the rule: the players themselves.

According to a Golfweek article, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) will require all of its members to be proficient in English by the end of 2009 or risk losing their tour card. At a time when international membership is growing and sponsorship deals are declining, tour officials are touting English learning as a chance to increase the profile of the players and marketing opportunities for the game.

Rep. Steve Scalise today became the newest co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act. The bill now has 149 co-sponsors.

Rep. Elton Gallegly (CA-24) today became the newest co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act. The bill now has 148 co-sponsors.

U.S. English, Inc. today recognized Monty Newman, Greg Sowards and Aubrey Dunn, Jr., candidates for the New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, for pledging to support official English legislation. These individuals have pledged to “sponsor legislation to make English the official language of the United States government” if elected to Congress.

The commissioners of Walkersville, Md. unanimously voted to make English the official language of the town Wednesday night, making this community the latest to approve an official English law.

U.S. English, Inc. today recognized Jason Chaffetz, a candidate for the Utah’s Third Congressional District, for pledging to support official English legislation. To date, Chaffetz has been the only candidate in the district to indicate that he would “sponsor legislation to make English the official language of the United States government” if elected to Congress.

Congressman Dean Heller today introduced the American Elections Act, which would modify existing law and reduce the entitlement to multilingual ballots. The American Elections Act would limit ballot translations to English, Native American languages and Alaskan Native dialects.

Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise was elected Sunday to represent Louisiana’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. By a near 3-to-1 margin Scalise was elected to fill the seat of Bobby Jindal, who left office in January to assume the governorship of Louisiana.

The Ohio House of Representatives Government and Elections Committee held a hearing this morning on H.B. 477, legislation to make English the official language of the state.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) today became the newest co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act. The bill now has 147 co-sponsors.

This morning, the Oklahoma House General Government and Operations Committee passed Senate Bill 163, which had been amended to give voters the choice to make English the official language of the state. The bill, as amended by Rep. Randy Terrill and Rep. George Faught, passed committee by a vote of 11-5. It will now head to the full House for consideration.

U.S. English, Inc. today recognized former Congressman Mike Sodrel, a candidate for the seat in Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District, for pledging to support official English legislation. Sodrel’s pledge is consistent with his past co-sponsorship of official English legislation while serving in the 109th Congress.

A new survey by the Anne Arundel Community College Center for the Study of Local Issues has found that 82 percent of Anne Arundel County residents want to make English the official language of Maryland. The poll of 419 country residents was conducted March 10-13, 2008 and has a margin of error of +/- 5 percent.

Philadelphia cheesesteak shop owner Joey Vento made national headlines when he put up a sign in his business asking customers to order in English. Yesterday, a Phaildephia Commission of Human Relations panel voted 2-1 that the signs are not in violation of city regulations.

The Health and Government Operations Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates will be holding a hearing on H.B. 886, legislation to make English the official language of Maryland, on Wednesday March 12 at noon.

On March 5, U.S. English, Inc. Director of Communications Rob Toonkel will appear at a Capitol Hill Briefing put on by the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, "Official English vs. English-Plus: The U.S. Language Policy Debate." The event is free and open to the public.

WSVN-TV in Miami reveals shortage of English language manuals... but plenty of Spanish versions.

U.S. English, Inc. today recognized State Senator Steve Scalise, a candidate for the open seat Louisiana’s First Congressional District, for pledging to support official English legislation. To date, Scalise has been the only candidate in the district to indicate that he would “sponsor legislation to make English the official language of the United States government” if elected to Congress.

U.S. English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica featured in segment on growing number of Florida service technicians who are unable to speak English.

Rep. Robert Wittman (VA-1) today became the newest co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act. The bill now has 146 co-sponsors.

Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-7) today became the newest co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act. The bill now has 145 co-sponsors. 

Rep. Thomas Reynolds (NY-26) today became the newest co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act. The bill now has 144 co-sponsors.

Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-13) today became the newest co-sponsor of H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act. The bill now has 145 co-sponsors.