Testimonials

In August, 1954, I arrived in Germany to begin my duty in the Army of Occupation.  Although my family immigrated from Germany (in 1768), I was unable to speak that language.  I soon realized that my lack of skill in that area made very little difference, as a high percentage of the Germans knew at least some English - the younger the person, the more they knew.  If I was buying something in a German store, a bi-lingual person (usually a child) was almost always there to help me.  I soon learned that the ability to speak English was considered an essential part of elementary and high school education.  I became embarrassed with my lack of language skill and, by the time I finished my tour of duty, was fairly fluent in their language.
 
As I have aged, I have been able to travel in numerous countries- in Europe, Central and South America and Asia.  Everywhere I go, I can converse with English speakers - even the world's airlines use English as a required language! Although nearly all European countries, and many others around the world, consider English an essential part of education, we do not even consider it important enough to make it our official language!  We spend a huge amount of money and time assisting people who are too lazy to learn it or who have been fooled into thinking that, if they don't learn how to express themselves in their adopted country, someone (or the government) will give them what they can't earn - self respect and a decent (or better) standard of living.
 
I sure hope that our populace wakes up and demands that the politicians obey the vast majority of their constituents – English as the official language of our great nation is what we want! If most of the rest of the world recognizes how important it is, why don't we?

- L.L., Arizona

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