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March 5, 2008                                                                                                          Phone: (404) 226-3549

ProEnglish urges Senate action on Official English

            ARLINGTON, Va.— “Congress should pass official English legislation which has the overwhelming backing of the American people, despite its failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation,” says K.C. McAlpin, executive director of ProEnglish, a group that advocates for official English.

            “When there is so much talk about the need to ‘reach across the aisle’ and build consensus there is simply no excuse for not passing legislation that enjoys the support of 84-87 percent of the American people according to public opinion polls,” McAlpin added. He praised the efforts of ten Republican senators who are demanding action today on specific immigration and assimilation related bills that enjoy widespread public support.

            McAlpin singled out the National Language Act being introduced today by U.S. Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma for special praise. He observed that Senator Inhofe succeeded in passing the same measure as an amendment to the failed Senate immigration bill by a vote of 64-33 last June.

            McAlpin cited numerous polls to support his claim. A March 2006 Zogby poll found 84 percent of likely voters favored making English our official language. A June 2006 Rasmussen poll found 85 percent of Americans felt the same. And a Winston Group poll in August, 2007 found 87 percent of the American people supported official English. A Harvard University survey of young people ages 18-24 in April, 2007 showed 72 percent favored official English, including majorities of Hispanics and Asians.  

            “The overwhelming support for official English is across the board and includes every conceivable demographic breakdown,” said McAlpin, “including race, religion, gender, age, and political persuasion.”