European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 21, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Should English be America s official language by Lawrence Kilman associated press despite its common usage. English is not the official language o the United slates. But i is the official language of California Tennessee Indiana Kentucky and Nebraska More Stales May join them soon. Supporters of such declarations say a common language must be preserved to bind the diverse elements of our culture together. But opponents argue thai the measures fuel racism and erode cultural diversity. On Jan. 6. Several Bills were introduced in Congress that would Amend the Constitution to make English the Olli Cial language of the country. There s been rising evidence that language is becoming a Point of social division political division said Lawrence d. Frail president of to lobbying group English first. Iii is not checked and Deall with and Laid to rest ii can produce Iho kind of divisions that have beset Canada and others in the world As  opponents say such efforts Are misdirected because English is not threatened by immigrants who generally want to learn English when they come Here anyway. This is not an american Bill. Ii is contrary to what we think Olas America said stale rep. Francis Bardanouve of Montana where the House Defeated an official English proposal 51 -48 on Jan. 30. I think it is anti immigration anti hispanic anti asian said Edward Chen staff counsel Lor the american civil liberties Union of Northern California. There s a lot of Faar mongering Oul there about the Waves and hordes of immigrants coming Over. Unfortunately some people buy  in California Home to metre immigrants than any other slate voters approved an English language proposition by a 3-Fo-l margin last november. Tennessee also approved English As the official slate language last year. It s been the official language in Kentucky and Indiana since 1984. And Nebraska made English official Early in the Century. Montana and Wyoming however Defeated official English proposals this year. In new Hampshire a committee recommended 16-1 that the measure be Defeated and the Lull House is expected to follow that advice. Fourteen Legislatures have proposals before them to make English the official stale language and others May take it up this year. The California initiative states that officials shall Lake All Steps necessary 1o  Hal the Rote of English As the common language of lha state of California shall be preserved and enhanced but it is not specific in what Steps should be taken. We ear in gift jeopardize every term of language assistance including some emergency services court translators welfare notices and bilingual education. Said Chen. Only 6 percent of californians Don t speak English Chen said. However american demographics Magazine says about 40 percent of immigrants in the 1980s Are Spanish speakers and 23 percent of California residents do not speak English at Homo. America is increasingly populated by illegal immigrants and other factions who look upon America s English language As a secondary language and who cling to their ethnicity so Strong to that they do both themselves and America a great  said Lou Zaeske founder of the american ethnic coalition which has been urging the passage of a Law that would make English the official language of Texas. Tho debate in state houses indicates a wide diversity of opinion. A new Hampshire legislator called immigrants who Don t learn English a Bunch of agitators too Lazy to learn the  but a House committee Defeated the Resolution 12-1. A Missouri lawmaker complaining about foreign speaking Light attendants said there Are some places in this country where you just about have to speak Spanish to get on an  in Arizona state sen. Pete Rios argued against an official English proposal saying we Are smart enough to know trial k we Are to succeed and compete in this society to have to master the English  in Wyoming a proposal to make English he official slate language was Defeated by a Senate committee. "1 Don t see Hal English in Wyoming is in jeopardy of not being our common Means of communication said sen. Arvin Wiederspahn of Cheyenne who voted against the measure. Efforts to gel an official English proposal introduced in Florida Hava failed but a group called Florida English first has not Given up the group is collecting signatures to get a proposed constitutional amendment for the 1988 ballot. Official bilingualism actually serves to Divide people. You can look at the examples in Quebec Belgium sri Lanka said Patricia Felton a spokeswoman Lor the group. The Massachusetts House approved an official English measure last year but the state Senate killed it. However the proposal did not die in was reintroduced this year it s confirming what is a tact in this country and has been a fact since the beginning of the country 200 years ago said state rep. John luring who retired the measure. In Arkansas legislators who support the Elfort say they wanted to avoid being required to produce official documents in More than one language they also minimized the Bill s importance likening it to symbolic legislation that declared milk the stale beverage the fiddle the state musical instrument the Pine the state tree and the Apple Blossom the stale Flower. Efforts to make English the official language in the United Stales Are not new. English literacy Laws were introduced at the turn of the Century an earlier Era of immigration. Most of those Laws which made English literacy a requirement for voting citizenship and immigration were found to be unconstitutional. Historically immigrants have come to this country and were forced to take part in official business in  said Pratt. People who speak Spanish or any other language should not look at the matter any different  Yaff whom it go hots / 6000. 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Find ant stations that my fee 100 cheap id re Page 18 the stars and stripes saturday february 21,1987