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Support HR 997, the English Unity Act
"The English language is the carrier of liberty and freedom throughout history and the world. For centuries, our common tongue - English - has been the uniting force in this great nation, knocking down ethnic and cultural barriers to make us truly one nation," argues King. "Today, as we rally for unity and patriotism, a common means of communication propels us towards our goal." The English Language Unity Act declares English the official language. It does not affect the teaching and study of other languages; it does not deter the use of other languages in the home, community, church, or elsewhere. It also includes common-sense exceptions for international relations, national security, commerce, public health and safety, criminal justice, the teaching of languages, and the preservation of Alaskan or Native American languages. Regardless of race, gender, or citizenship status, Americans have declared their support for an official language. A Rasmussen poll conducted in June found that eighty-five percent of Americans favor making English the official language (click here to read poll data). Studies show that those who know English get better jobs, earn more money, and are less likely to be uninsured. As a result, English decreases government dependency. Perhaps that is why a 2005 Zogby poll found support for official English was higher among first- and second- generation immigrants than it was among native-born Americans (see other polls) . The need for official English appears in our newspapers every day - injuries in the workplace, lawsuits over mistranslation in hospitals, people who are unable to support their families - all because they cannot speak English. According to the U.S. Department of Education, those with limited English
proficiency are less likely to be employed, work in less desirable conditions,
and earn less than half as much as the general population (click <link>here</link>
to read the report.) |
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