Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed legislation to make English the official language of Kansas. The measure, H.B. 2140, passed the House, 114-7 and the Senate, 32-8 earlier this year.
“I want to applaud Gov. Sebelius and Representatives Mario Goico, Candy Ruff, and Don Myers for their efforts in passing this bill,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of the Board of U.S. English, Inc. “English-speaking Kansans deserve to know that their tax dollars will not continue to perpetuate unfettered government translations. Newcomers to Kansas deserve opportunities to learn the English language and assimilate into our nation. This law benefits both natives and newcomers to the Sunflower State.”
As passed by the House and Senate, H.B. 2140 would make English the official language of Kansas. Under the legislation, state agencies would not be required to conduct business and provide documents in languages other than English, except where necessary to comply with federal law, protect public safety, and maintain Constitutional rights.
Kansas becomes the 30th state overall, and the third in seven months, to enact English as its official language, following Idaho in March and Arizona last November. The seven month span marks the shortest amount of time for three new states to adopt official English legislation since Montana, South Dakota and New Hampshire approved similar laws over three months in 1995.
“Making English the official language is not some stop-gap measure designed to thwart immigration,” continued Mujica, who immigrated from Chile in 1965. “It is a long term policy that takes into account that our nation functions best when we can all communicate in the same language, and that government must promote English learning for all Americans.”
Polls have shown enthusiastic support for official English among all segments of the population. A June 2006 poll from Rasmussen Reports found that 85 percent of Americans favor making English the official language of the United States, while a Oct. 2006 survey by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research found support for a state law among nearly eight-in-ten Kansans. Most recently, a survey by the Harvard University Institute of Politics found that 72 percent of 18-24 year old Americans support making English the official language of the United States.
Strong support for official English has also been demonstrated at the state and federal levels, raising the possibility for a 31st state before the end of the year. More than 20 states had official English legislation introduced in the state legislature this year, and measures are still pending in several active chambers, including Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin. At the federal level, H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act, has the support of more than 100 Representatives, making it one of the most widely supported bills in the 110th Congress.
“While Americans continue to search for that elusive solution to our immigration problem, they are more united than ever toward a focus on assimilation,” added Mujica. “Americans do not want to live in an ‘English-only’ nation, but they also oppose the creation of an ‘English-optional’ nation. I hope that more states will follow the lead of Kansas and provide the combination of beneficial government policy and increased English language learning funding.”
U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. (http://www.usenglish.org/) now has more than 1.8 million members.
* ELLSWORTH SUPPORTS A STRONG DEFENSE
WASHINGTON – Continuing his track record of strongly supporting U.S. troops, Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) voted to restore military readiness and strengthen national defense. The House Armed Services Committee passed the 2008 Defense Authorization bill unanimously last week, and the House passed the bill today with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“As a member of the Armed Services Committee, my number one priority is providing our brave men and women in uniform with the weapons, equipment, and training they need to complete their missions,” said Ellsworth. “This is critical not only for current conflicts, but to ensure our Armed Forces are ready to respond to emerging threats throughout the world.”
The bill creates a Defense Readiness Production Board to identify critical weapons and equipment shortfalls and develop creative solutions to increase defense industry capacity and fill those shortfalls. It establishes a $1 billion Strategic Readiness Fund to meet this goal. In addition, the bill provides an additional $250 million to improve soldiers’ training in a full-spectrum of combat scenarios.
“There is no question the War in Iraq has had a crippling effect on our military. They simply do not have the weapons, equipment and training they need,” said Ellsworth. “We let these problems go unaddressed for too long. It will be a long road back to restoring readiness levels, but we took an important first step today.”
The bill addresses National Guard readiness concerns. In testimony before the Commission on the National Guard in January 2007, Lieutenant General Steven Blum said, “88 percent of the forces that are back here in the United States are very poorly equipped today in the Army National Guard.” Articles published late February about the possible early redeployment of National Guard troops from four states, including Indiana, conveyed similar findings with military officials indicating troops were currently short of some equipment needed for deployment. Indiana National Guard troops from the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Indianapolis have since been called up for redeployment to Iraq.
The bill requires the Department of Defense to conduct quarterly state-by-state assessments of National Guard capability to meet homeland and military responsibilities. Currently, there is no system in place to assess the National Guard’s ability to respond to natural disaster or national crisis. It also provides $1 billion to address shortfalls in ‘critical, high-priority equipment’ for National Guard units.
“National Guard units across the nation are playing a vital role in the security of our country; not only serving valiantly in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also responding to national crisis and natural disaster at home,” said Ellsworth. “However, their ability to respond to tomorrow’s crisis depends on the steps we take today. This Congress cannot afford to leave these shortfalls unaddressed, and I’m glad to see us taking action in this bill.”
The bill includes numerous provisions to further strengthen national defense. It provides $4.6 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles which could reduce casualties from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by as much as 80%. It also includes billions of dollars for body armor, up-armored humvees, and other weapons and equipment for troops. It authorizes expanding the U.S. Army by 36,000 soldiers to alleviate the stress placed on soldiers and families, and provides $2.3 billion for military construction to accommodate the larger force.
“We need to treat our troops as if they were our own sons or daughters,” said Ellsworth. “Nothing but our full support is acceptable to me, and I think this bill accomplishes that goal. I am proud to support it.”
* PRO-IMMIGRATION CONTROL MAYOR WINS DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN NODS
WASHINGTON, May 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Mayor Lou Barletta took the bold step of implementing local ordinances to curb illegal immigration in his city, he was widely described as "controversial." Barletta's strong stance against illegal immigration was so "controversial," in fact, that the two-term Republican not only won yesterday's Republican primary with 94.4 percent of the vote, but he won the Democratic nomination through a write-in campaign by nearly a 2-1 margin. Given the opportunity to express their views on Barletta's battle against illegal immigration, Hazleton residents did not so much as elect him to a third term, but virtually anointed him their mayor for the next four years.
The voters' judgment on Mayor Barletta presents an interesting contrast to a local election that took place in Herndon, Virginia, exactly one year ago. In that local election, the central campaign issue was the mayor's and city council's decision to fund an illegal alien day labor center, in spite of widespread public opposition. While Mayor Barletta was re-elected by acclaim in Hazleton, the mayor and all but one of the Herndon council members who voted to accommodate illegal aliens were swept out of office.
"FAIR congratulates Mayor Barletta not only for his remarkable and convincing victory in yesterday's election, but for his strong and principled stance against illegal immigration," said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). "Mayor Barletta has not only demonstrated how local governments can take an effective stance against illegal immigration in their communities, but he has proven that doing so is politically popular."
Since Hazleton moved to curtail illegal immigration by imposing local penalties against employers who hire and landlords who rent to illegal aliens, similar local policies have been adopted by cities all across the United States. "Mayor Barletta's sweeping bipartisan reelection proves, once again, that the assortment of illegal alien rights and civil liberties groups who file lawsuits challenging local ordinances and otherwise make a lot of noise, represent absolutely no one but themselves. When it comes to enforcing laws against illegal immigration, there simply is no controversy," declared Stein.
Barletta's convincing affirmation of his policies against illegal immigration comes precisely amidst Senate deliberations on legislation that would grant amnesty to tens of millions of illegal aliens, which is supported by President Bush. "According to the latest polls, the only people who are held in lower regard by the public than President Bush is Congress. The readiness of the people in Washington to sell out the interests of working Americans on immigration is emblematic of why they are held in such low esteem," Stein noted. "Back home, where Americans live with the consequences of unchecked illegal immigration, politicians who are prepared to enforce laws and protect ordinary citizens, enjoy overwhelming public support. The message out of Hazleton yesterday was very clear: Supporting immigration enforcement is perhaps the least controversial political position in America today."
Website: http://www.fairus.org/
“I want to applaud Gov. Sebelius and Representatives Mario Goico, Candy Ruff, and Don Myers for their efforts in passing this bill,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of the Board of U.S. English, Inc. “English-speaking Kansans deserve to know that their tax dollars will not continue to perpetuate unfettered government translations. Newcomers to Kansas deserve opportunities to learn the English language and assimilate into our nation. This law benefits both natives and newcomers to the Sunflower State.”
As passed by the House and Senate, H.B. 2140 would make English the official language of Kansas. Under the legislation, state agencies would not be required to conduct business and provide documents in languages other than English, except where necessary to comply with federal law, protect public safety, and maintain Constitutional rights.
Kansas becomes the 30th state overall, and the third in seven months, to enact English as its official language, following Idaho in March and Arizona last November. The seven month span marks the shortest amount of time for three new states to adopt official English legislation since Montana, South Dakota and New Hampshire approved similar laws over three months in 1995.
“Making English the official language is not some stop-gap measure designed to thwart immigration,” continued Mujica, who immigrated from Chile in 1965. “It is a long term policy that takes into account that our nation functions best when we can all communicate in the same language, and that government must promote English learning for all Americans.”
Polls have shown enthusiastic support for official English among all segments of the population. A June 2006 poll from Rasmussen Reports found that 85 percent of Americans favor making English the official language of the United States, while a Oct. 2006 survey by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research found support for a state law among nearly eight-in-ten Kansans. Most recently, a survey by the Harvard University Institute of Politics found that 72 percent of 18-24 year old Americans support making English the official language of the United States.
Strong support for official English has also been demonstrated at the state and federal levels, raising the possibility for a 31st state before the end of the year. More than 20 states had official English legislation introduced in the state legislature this year, and measures are still pending in several active chambers, including Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin. At the federal level, H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act, has the support of more than 100 Representatives, making it one of the most widely supported bills in the 110th Congress.
“While Americans continue to search for that elusive solution to our immigration problem, they are more united than ever toward a focus on assimilation,” added Mujica. “Americans do not want to live in an ‘English-only’ nation, but they also oppose the creation of an ‘English-optional’ nation. I hope that more states will follow the lead of Kansas and provide the combination of beneficial government policy and increased English language learning funding.”
U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. (http://www.usenglish.org/) now has more than 1.8 million members.
* ELLSWORTH SUPPORTS A STRONG DEFENSE
WASHINGTON – Continuing his track record of strongly supporting U.S. troops, Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) voted to restore military readiness and strengthen national defense. The House Armed Services Committee passed the 2008 Defense Authorization bill unanimously last week, and the House passed the bill today with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“As a member of the Armed Services Committee, my number one priority is providing our brave men and women in uniform with the weapons, equipment, and training they need to complete their missions,” said Ellsworth. “This is critical not only for current conflicts, but to ensure our Armed Forces are ready to respond to emerging threats throughout the world.”
The bill creates a Defense Readiness Production Board to identify critical weapons and equipment shortfalls and develop creative solutions to increase defense industry capacity and fill those shortfalls. It establishes a $1 billion Strategic Readiness Fund to meet this goal. In addition, the bill provides an additional $250 million to improve soldiers’ training in a full-spectrum of combat scenarios.
“There is no question the War in Iraq has had a crippling effect on our military. They simply do not have the weapons, equipment and training they need,” said Ellsworth. “We let these problems go unaddressed for too long. It will be a long road back to restoring readiness levels, but we took an important first step today.”
The bill addresses National Guard readiness concerns. In testimony before the Commission on the National Guard in January 2007, Lieutenant General Steven Blum said, “88 percent of the forces that are back here in the United States are very poorly equipped today in the Army National Guard.” Articles published late February about the possible early redeployment of National Guard troops from four states, including Indiana, conveyed similar findings with military officials indicating troops were currently short of some equipment needed for deployment. Indiana National Guard troops from the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Indianapolis have since been called up for redeployment to Iraq.
The bill requires the Department of Defense to conduct quarterly state-by-state assessments of National Guard capability to meet homeland and military responsibilities. Currently, there is no system in place to assess the National Guard’s ability to respond to natural disaster or national crisis. It also provides $1 billion to address shortfalls in ‘critical, high-priority equipment’ for National Guard units.
“National Guard units across the nation are playing a vital role in the security of our country; not only serving valiantly in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also responding to national crisis and natural disaster at home,” said Ellsworth. “However, their ability to respond to tomorrow’s crisis depends on the steps we take today. This Congress cannot afford to leave these shortfalls unaddressed, and I’m glad to see us taking action in this bill.”
The bill includes numerous provisions to further strengthen national defense. It provides $4.6 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles which could reduce casualties from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by as much as 80%. It also includes billions of dollars for body armor, up-armored humvees, and other weapons and equipment for troops. It authorizes expanding the U.S. Army by 36,000 soldiers to alleviate the stress placed on soldiers and families, and provides $2.3 billion for military construction to accommodate the larger force.
“We need to treat our troops as if they were our own sons or daughters,” said Ellsworth. “Nothing but our full support is acceptable to me, and I think this bill accomplishes that goal. I am proud to support it.”
* PRO-IMMIGRATION CONTROL MAYOR WINS DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN NODS
WASHINGTON, May 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Mayor Lou Barletta took the bold step of implementing local ordinances to curb illegal immigration in his city, he was widely described as "controversial." Barletta's strong stance against illegal immigration was so "controversial," in fact, that the two-term Republican not only won yesterday's Republican primary with 94.4 percent of the vote, but he won the Democratic nomination through a write-in campaign by nearly a 2-1 margin. Given the opportunity to express their views on Barletta's battle against illegal immigration, Hazleton residents did not so much as elect him to a third term, but virtually anointed him their mayor for the next four years.
The voters' judgment on Mayor Barletta presents an interesting contrast to a local election that took place in Herndon, Virginia, exactly one year ago. In that local election, the central campaign issue was the mayor's and city council's decision to fund an illegal alien day labor center, in spite of widespread public opposition. While Mayor Barletta was re-elected by acclaim in Hazleton, the mayor and all but one of the Herndon council members who voted to accommodate illegal aliens were swept out of office.
"FAIR congratulates Mayor Barletta not only for his remarkable and convincing victory in yesterday's election, but for his strong and principled stance against illegal immigration," said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). "Mayor Barletta has not only demonstrated how local governments can take an effective stance against illegal immigration in their communities, but he has proven that doing so is politically popular."
Since Hazleton moved to curtail illegal immigration by imposing local penalties against employers who hire and landlords who rent to illegal aliens, similar local policies have been adopted by cities all across the United States. "Mayor Barletta's sweeping bipartisan reelection proves, once again, that the assortment of illegal alien rights and civil liberties groups who file lawsuits challenging local ordinances and otherwise make a lot of noise, represent absolutely no one but themselves. When it comes to enforcing laws against illegal immigration, there simply is no controversy," declared Stein.
Barletta's convincing affirmation of his policies against illegal immigration comes precisely amidst Senate deliberations on legislation that would grant amnesty to tens of millions of illegal aliens, which is supported by President Bush. "According to the latest polls, the only people who are held in lower regard by the public than President Bush is Congress. The readiness of the people in Washington to sell out the interests of working Americans on immigration is emblematic of why they are held in such low esteem," Stein noted. "Back home, where Americans live with the consequences of unchecked illegal immigration, politicians who are prepared to enforce laws and protect ordinary citizens, enjoy overwhelming public support. The message out of Hazleton yesterday was very clear: Supporting immigration enforcement is perhaps the least controversial political position in America today."
Website: http://www.fairus.org/
1 comment:
Wikipedia is reporting that Kansas congresswoman Nancy Boyda is a large ExxonMobile stockholder. Does anyone know anything about this?
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