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Last month, I asked for your help in getting cosponsors and building support for Senator Inhofe’s S.991, the National Language Act of 2009, I promised that I would also try to get a matching bill introduced in the House of Representatives. I explained that, in the past, official English bills have successfully been passed in the House OR the Senate … but never at the same time. Well, thanks to Rep. Peter King of New York, a great Congressman and good friend of English First, we now have excellent bills in both chambers, doubling our chances to pass an official language bill this year! Congressman King’s bill, H.R. 1229, the National Language Act of 2009, is virtually identical to Senator Inhofe’s S.991, ensuring that both bills can be passed quickly without the need of any wrangling between the House and Senate to come up with unified legislation.
And with the latest polling data confirming, on May 14th, 2009, that eighty-four percent (84%) of Americans say English should be the official language of the United States, most politicians would have to think twice about opposing these bills. This tells me that, despite the opposition that may come from the pro-Hispanic lobby, if we can force a vote on the National Language Act, in either chamber, we can pass a great official language bill this year. Both bills are off to a good start with S.991 having 14 cosponsors in the Senate and H.R.1229 having 25 cosponsors in the House. It’s a good start but now it is up to us, you and me, to find more cosponsors and build momentum for these excellent bills. Once that is done, the stage will be set for the next move, which is to attach either of these bills as amendments to any fast moving bill going through the House or the Senate. Then, our friends in Congress will call for a roll call vote which forces Representatives and Senators to go on record as supporting or opposing English as our official language. If we can force a roll call vote, I know it will pass because very few Representatives or Senators want to be on record as opposing a measure that has the support of 84% of the American people. Making English the official language will eliminate the burden on the federal government to provide documents and/or services in languages other than English. If you agree with our strategy, then I must call upon you, once again, to lend your support by sending an email to your representative asking him or her to support and become a co-sponsor of H.R. 1229, the National Language Act of 2009. CLICK HERE TO SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR REPRESENATIVE ASKING THEM TO SUPPORT H.R. 1229 AND TO BECOME CO-SPONSORS OF THIS IMPORTANT BILL. Finally, I must ask if you can also help us out with a contribution to ensure we have the financial resources to help Congressman King pass H.R.1229. Whatever amount you can afford to give at this time will be a great aid in our battle to pass this vital piece of legislation.
Click here to contribute. To win this battle, we need to make sure every Congressman has a copy of this latest polling data in their hands so when they are asked to cast their vote, they will honor the wishes of their constituents, not the radical pro-Hispanic lobbies. So please send us a contribution, in whatever amount you can safely afford to donate, and we will do everything in our power to pass the National Language Act this year, making English the official language of the United States – finally! Thank you for your continued support for our work.
Sincerely,
Frank McGlynn
Acting Executive Director P.S. We’ve passed the first hurdle – we have two matching bills in the House and Senate. With your help, we can make English the official language of the United States this year. Please help us at this critical moment! Moreover, even if you cannot afford to contribute any money at this time, please remember to send an email to your Representative. We need your help to overcome the opposition in the House and Senate. |
