Chairman. I rise in strong support of H.R. 123 and in opposition to this substitute. Every immigrant who has come to this country has known that English is the language we speak here. This bill would just reinforce that fact. Since the Census Bureau reports that 47 percent of the foreign born population do not speak English well or at all. it seems that this fact needs to be reinforced. Now. if any of us wanted to move to France or Japan. we would look awfully silly complianing about having to learn their local language. Why is it somehow a horrible violation of human rights to insist that people living here. and especially people who move here deliberately from elsewhere. learn our language? Federal statutes require right now that every applicant for naturalization must demonstrate an understanding of the English language. including an ability to read. write and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language. Now. that is tremendously important. Why are we even debating this? It is in the statute right now. There are special exemptions for those physically unable to do so or those over 50 years of age who have resided in this country for 20 years or more. We are threatening no one by declaring that the official language of this nation of immigrants is english. With so many cultures and so many traditions. none of which do we seek to suppress or denigrate. we need to coalesce around common values. Language is one of these. and so today I hope that we pass this bill making English the official language of this Government. The bill specifically exempts communications that address health or safety. These are communal concerns. Uniting all .Arericans with the English language is not antiimmigrant. Mr. Chairman.
Keywords matched
immigrant foreign born immigrants naturalization antiimmigrant