September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Fairness Act

Mr. Speaker, I have introduced legislation to make English the official

language of the United States Government. The English language is the carrier of liberty and freedom throughout history and the world. For centuries, our common tongue, English, has been the uniting force in this great nation, knocking down ethnic and religious barriers to make us truly one nation. Today, as we rally for unity and patriotism a common means of communication propels us toward our goal.

The English Language Unity Act declares English the language of the United States. Like its predecessors, it does not affect the teaching and study of other languages. It does not deter the use of other languages in the home, community, church, or elsewhere. The Act includes commonsense exceptions to the policy, for international relations, national security, teaching of languages, and preservation of Native Alaskan or Native American languages.

A common language has enabled generations of Americans to realize the dream of American opportunity and freedom. Studies continue to prove those who know English get better jobs, earn more money and receive better health care than those who cannot speak the language. As a result, an emphasis on English decreases reliance on the federal government.

The need for official English appears in our newspapers every day-- injuries in the workplace, mistranslations at hospitals, people who are unable to support themselves and their families--all because they could not speak English.

Recognizing a common language is neither racist nor exclusionary. It is a principle enacted by 177 countries worldwide to allow for the transmission of ideas and customs and to allow people of multiple cultures to come together. This bill does not inhibit people from speaking other languages, nor does it attempt to place any limits on culture, religion or customs.

The Unity Act gives newcomers an opportunity to succeed in the United States. It bonds the newcomer with his fellow Americans, allowing both to reach for the highest rung on the economic ladder and provide for a family.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, those with limited English proficiency are less likely to be employed, less likely to be employed continuously, tend to work in the least desirable sectors and earn less than those who speak English. Annual earnings by limited English proficient adults were approximately half of the earnings of the total population surveyed.

Few doubt this reality. In a 1995 poll by the Luntz Research firm, more than 80 percent of immigrants supported making English the official language of the United States. They are joined by 86 percent of all Americans who agree with English as the official language of the United States.

Similar English legislation in the 104th Congress, H.R. 123, drew 197 bipartisan House cosponsors and won a bipartisan vote on August 1, 1996. That spirited effort, led by our late colleague Bill Emerson, is unfinished business that we must attend to for the benefit of all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I would respectfully request that the following document, prepared by the national group U.S. ENGLISH, Inc. be inserted into the Record. This document is a compilation of news stories from major newspapers across the United States which highlights numerous incidents where the inability to speak English has resulted in very serious consequences.

I urge my colleagues to cosponsor The English Language Unity Act of 2003 in the 108th Congress so that we can ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to attain the American dream.

Language Barrier Dangerous, Often Deadly, for Immigrants

The high rate of immigration to the United States is

rapidly changing the face of America, primarily due to the

massive numbers of limited-English speakers arriving daily to

our shores. There are 21.3 million people living here today

who do not speak English ``very well.''

Following are but a few recent snapshots of appalling

episodes that occur regularly in communities around the U.S.

Tragic situations like these can be averted if immigrants are

given every opportunity to learn English:

Philadelphia Struggles Under Language Barriers

Language has become a big problem in Philadelphia, with

about 65,810 Philadelphians, or 4.6 percent of the city's

population, being isolated by language barriers. Two recent

examples of linguistic troubles:

Elderly Russian-speaking residents were ``clueless'' after

being thrown out of their adult day care center because they

didn't understand recent eligibility changes that had been

sent to them in the mail and were written in English.

Dominican Republic shopkeepers couldn't meet requirements

of food inspectors because they didn't speak English.

(Philadelphia Daily News, Sept. 25, 2002, originally reported by Scott

Flander)

Crash Caused by Language Gap

An accident on a state highway in New Hampshire was caused

when an English speaking passenger said, ``You're going to

take a left at exit 5,'' while trying to teach a Spanish

speaking driver how to operate a motor vehicle. The driver

proceeded to make a sharp left and collide with a tree. The

car was totaled, but both occupants escaped unharmed.