Speech #1040254250

I submit the following for the RECORD. I rise in strong of H.R. 123. the English Language Empowerment Act of 1996. I believe it is essential to have English as the official language of our National Government. for the English language Is the tie that binds the millions of immigrants who come to America from divergent backgrounds. We should. and do. encourage Immigrants to maintain and share their traditions. customs. and religions. but the use of English is essential for immigrants and their children to participate fully in American society and achieve the American dream. Importantly. title II of this bill repeals the Federal mandate requiring certain communities to provide bilingual ballots. This directive of the Voting Rights Act is unnecessary and costly. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was originally intended to put a stop to racial barriers to voting in the South. such as literacy tests. Englishonly ballots are simply not the equivalent. or even comparable. to the racially abused literacy tests of the South. Applicants for American citizenship. with some limited exceptions. have been required to demonstrate proficiency in English since 1906. Since only citizens may vote. the rationale for mandatory multilingual voting services is perplexing. One of the reasons we require immigrants to learn English before they naturalize is that a person who cannot understand English will not be able to participate In the political community in any but the most limited capacity. Bilingual ballots are not an effective means of increasing full political participation. for they are used by citizens who are obviously not proficient in English. and those who are not proficient in English. in most cases. cannot follow a political campaign. talk with candidates. or petition their representatives. I believe it is necessary to clarify what repealing the bilingual ballot requirement does not do. This bill does not affect laws outlawing voter discrimination. It does not propose a literacy test. It does not preclude anyone from voting. even if they do not know English. There are effective alternatives to federally mandated bilingual ballots. especially where complicated ballot initiatives are involved.