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Political Corner - Residents to vote on official language
Jumoke Balogun
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: News
Missouri voters are considering some controversial constitutional amendments this election season including an amendment that will make English the official language of the government.
The initiative asks: "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to add a statement that English shall be the language of all governmental meetings at which any public business is discussed, decided, or public policy is formulated whether conducted in person or by communication equipment including conference calls, video conferences, Internet chat or message board?"
State Representative Brian Nieves, of Missouri's 98th district, sponsored the measure. The Missouri House of Representative voted 124-28 in support of the initiative. The Senate voted 25-7, in support.
According to www.pro-english.org, an organization that lobbies for English as the official language in states and the federal government, 5.1 percent of Missourians speak a language other than English. They estimate the portion of Missourians who speak little or no English has increased exponentially.
The organization supports the measure stating, "Record numbers of non-English speaking immigrants threaten to overwhelm the assimilative process."
Moreover, they believe English speaking workers are losing jobs or cannot find jobs because they lack the skills to speak another language while contending learning English is not anti-immigrant, but empowers them by guaranteeing more opportunities.
The Show-Me Institute, a research and educational organization, opposes the measure. They believe immigrants and their offspring often assimilate to the American culture.
They cite a study by a Pew Hispanic Center survey, which showed 92 percent of Hispanics believed teaching their children English was of a vital importance.
Furthermore, the Institute believes Missourians will continue to speak English in the private and public sector adding a constitutional amendment stipulating it would only mock the significance of the state constitution.
According to its Web site, The Show-Me Institute is dedicated to well-researched solutions to state and local policy issues.
Missouri already has an existing law dealing with the issue.
In 1998, the state legislature passed an act recognizing English as the common language of the state, "…the (general assembly) recognizes that fluency in English is necessary for full integration into our common American culture."
It is estimated this new proposal will have no cost to state or local governmental entities if passed.
jbalogun@unews.com
The initiative asks: "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to add a statement that English shall be the language of all governmental meetings at which any public business is discussed, decided, or public policy is formulated whether conducted in person or by communication equipment including conference calls, video conferences, Internet chat or message board?"
State Representative Brian Nieves, of Missouri's 98th district, sponsored the measure. The Missouri House of Representative voted 124-28 in support of the initiative. The Senate voted 25-7, in support.
According to www.pro-english.org, an organization that lobbies for English as the official language in states and the federal government, 5.1 percent of Missourians speak a language other than English. They estimate the portion of Missourians who speak little or no English has increased exponentially.
The organization supports the measure stating, "Record numbers of non-English speaking immigrants threaten to overwhelm the assimilative process."
Moreover, they believe English speaking workers are losing jobs or cannot find jobs because they lack the skills to speak another language while contending learning English is not anti-immigrant, but empowers them by guaranteeing more opportunities.
The Show-Me Institute, a research and educational organization, opposes the measure. They believe immigrants and their offspring often assimilate to the American culture.
They cite a study by a Pew Hispanic Center survey, which showed 92 percent of Hispanics believed teaching their children English was of a vital importance.
Furthermore, the Institute believes Missourians will continue to speak English in the private and public sector adding a constitutional amendment stipulating it would only mock the significance of the state constitution.
According to its Web site, The Show-Me Institute is dedicated to well-researched solutions to state and local policy issues.
Missouri already has an existing law dealing with the issue.
In 1998, the state legislature passed an act recognizing English as the common language of the state, "…the (general assembly) recognizes that fluency in English is necessary for full integration into our common American culture."
It is estimated this new proposal will have no cost to state or local governmental entities if passed.
jbalogun@unews.com
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