Issues
Official English
Bilingual Education
English on the Job
Citizenship and
   Immigration
Bilingual Ballots
Puerto Rican
    Statehood
Ending E.O. 13166,
   the "Multilingual
   Mandate"

Resources
Model official
   English statute
Backgrounders
Pending legislation
Census 2000 data
Myths & Facts
Poll Data

Contact us:
1601 N. Kent St.
Suite 1100
Arlington, VA
22209
ph: (703)816-8821

ProEnglish Slams GOP Failure to Put Official English in Platform
Says Party of Schwarzenegger Turning Its Back on Assimilation Ideal"

ProEnglish
News Release
September 1, 2004

(Arlington, VA) The nation's leading advocates for official English today sharply criticized the Republican Party for its failure to endorse English as the official language of the United States. In a letter addressed to Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, ProEnglish Executive Director K.C. McAlpin urged delegates attending the Republican National Convention to amend their national platform by adding an official English plank. Thousands of signed petitions from ProEnglish members accompanied the letter.

"It is shameful that the Republican Party, which claims to stand for the hopes and dreams of immigrants, is retreating from the 'melting pot' ideal that has characterized successful American assimilation in the past by failing to endorse official English in its platform," said McAlpin.

"Our country has thrived as the most successful pluralistic, multi-ethnic nation in the history of the world," he added. "But today the unprecedented immigration of non-English speaking immigrants threatens to unravel the linguistic and cultural unity of the United States."

"If there is any doubt that speaking English is essential to the success and well-being of the millions of immigrants who come to our shores seeking freedom and opportunity every year, one need only look to the party's newest political star, Arnold Schwarzenegger."

"Can you imagine Governor Schwarzenegger delivering his convention speech in his native German with English subtitles?" McAlpin asked. "If he had not learned English, he would not have been on that stage last night."
McAlpin added: "Governor Schwarzenegger's life story is a shining example of what hard work, dedication, and a true desire to assimilate and embrace America's common language and culture can get you in this country. Republicans should recognize that and the threat that linguistic division poses to our nation's unity, by endorsing English as our official language."

Other Press releases