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H.R. 5759, The English as the Official Language Act of 2008
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
Version saved on June 11, 2008, 19:32:45, by webmaster:
H.R. 5759 would amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the national language of the Government of the United States.
Detailed Summary
English as the Official Language Act of 2008 - Requires: (1) English to be the national language of the federal government; and (2) the federal government to preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language.
Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the federal government act, communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials in any language other than English, unless specifically provided by statute.
Makes the English language version of a government form issued in a language other than English the sole authority for legal purposes.
Declares that this Act does not prohibit the use of a language other than English.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments 
Joe
May 4, 2008, 5:32pm (report abuse)It is about time! Now we can stop wasting money translating our forms and services to other langauges (after all with hundreds of languages spoken in the US, where does one stop). If anything, we can use some of these funds to teach English to those who need the assistance so we all speak a common language. This should tear down any language barriors.
Maureen
September 16, 2008, 2:38pm (report abuse)What can I do as a citizen to help promote this act. I support this 100%.
John Smith
October 4, 2008, 3:45am (report abuse)We should eliminate bilingual forms,to eliminate debt,save billions.Let Puerto Rico be an independent country like the Philippines? We are not imperialists.We shouldn't end up like Quebec with bilingual language problems.Puerto Rico refuses to accept English if they became a state. The culture, language, heritage is Spanish. Puerto Ricans consider themselves Spanish first.Puerto Rico should be independent.Other immigrants adapt to US culture and learn English, why can't Puerto Rican people. The US should not cater to these people.Wake up America,save taxex,save billions of dollars.Article 4 section 3 clause 2 says the US can let Puerto Rico go. They protested to have the US Navy leave the island. That should say enough.Bilingual education programs are not working.Great Britain let Hong Kong back to China, the US give Puerto Rico back to Spain.There is no value to have the US territory of Puerto Rico half of the island is on welfare programs.Speak English or go home.
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From the Blog
Want English-Only? Learn Your English!
Try to count the number of grammar errors, misused words, and inelegant turns of phrase in this letter arguing for a workplace English-only policy. Going to restaurants, the author reports, “I walk inside and almost forget we are in America, whe...