Make English our Official Language

NEWS RELEASE
January 12, 2007

Contact:

David Gulliver
(503) 986-1424

SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) announced a proposal to make English the official language of Oregon’s government.

“With the recent passage of Arizona’s new English-language law, there are now 28 states that have made English their official language,” said Representative Nelson. “Oregon should follow the lead of such other progressive states as California and Massachusetts that have enacted similar laws.”

According to the most recent United States Census, at least 138 languages are spoken in the State of Oregon. “While our diversity makes us strong, it takes a common language to bring diverse people together.”

Jim Ludwick, the Director of Oregonians for Immigration Reform, agrees. “America is the greatest and most successful experiment regarding the integration and assimilation of people of differing cultures, languages and religions,” said Ludwick. “Speaking one language, English, is one of the reasons for that success.”

In addition to the English-language proposal, Representative Nelson will be introducing measures to improve our Troops to Teachers program, strengthen sentencing under “Jessica’s Law,” and promote new energy sources.


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