Colorado: Official English Constitutional Amendment Introduced

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Official English Constitutional Amendment Introduced in Colorado; Voters
would get Ultimate Say in Centennial State

4/20/2006 2:44:00 PM

Contact: Rob Toonkel of U.S. English, Inc., 202-833-0100

WASHINGTON, April 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Colorado Representative Dave
Schultheis introduced legislation yesterday that would strengthen existing
measures that establish English the official language of Colorado. The
bill, HCR06, calls for the state to conduct most written government
operations in English. As with many official English measures, the bill
makes exceptions for public health and safety, trade and tourism, or where
language policies are prescribed by federal law. "There may be a
nationwide split on immigration policy, but Americans are nearly unanimous
in their support of an assimilation policy," said Mauro E. Mujica,
Chairman of U.S. English. "Americans expect that this country's newest
residents will proudly wave our flag and make strides to learn our
language - English. An official English policy is the state government's
manner of endorsing that sentiment."

While English is already the official language of Colorado, present law
fails to elaborate how that declaration translates into daily government
policy. House Concurrent Resolution 06 clarifies the intent of the
measure, requiring the government to maintain its focus on English in most
printed communication. If passed by the Colorado House and Senate, the
measure would appear on the general election ballot in November.
Coloradans previously passed official English legislation through ballot
initiative on Nov. 8, 1988.  That measure succeeded with 63 percent of the
vote. To date, official English initiatives have passed in all seven
states in which they have appeared on the ballot.

"In a nation of immigrants, the English language is the one common trait
we can rally behind," continued Mujica, who came to the United States from
Chile in 1965. "By doing government business in English, rather than
continuing the spread of damaging multilingualism, we can lead all
Americans toward opportunity and success. I congratulate Rep. Schultheis
for his foresight in introducing this bill and look forward to its passage
in the legislature."

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