Speech #980097480

Tagalog ballots will probably be printed in the future. There are other less prominent provisions of Federal law which now require the use of foreign languages. For example. 28 U.S.C. 1827 requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. courts to establish a program for the use of foreign language interpreters in Federal civil and criminal proceedings for parties whose primary language is other than English. 42 U.S.C. 254 requires the use of foreign language personnel in connection with federally funded migrant and community health centers. and 42 U.S.C. 4577 requires the use of foreign language personnel in the alcohol abuse and treatment programs. Although I can understand that this kind of assistance is helpful. the fact that it must be legislated strongly indicates that we are failing miserably in our efforts to teach immigrants and many of our native born how to speak. read and write English. The Federal laws requiring the use of interpreters and foreign languages are merely the tip of the iceberg. I recently sent a request to all of the State Governors and the major Federal agencies asking for information regarding nonEnglish forms and publications that their offices produce. which are intended for use in this country.