SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) proposes a number of new programs to help veterans in Oregon.
“We owe everything we take for granted in our society to the hard work and sacrifices of our veterans,” said Representative Nelson. “That’s why, this week, we started work on a number of drafts to give back what we can.”
One bill introduced this week builds on one of last session’s successes, the Troops to Teachers program. House Bill 2577, which will receive its first reading on the House floor next week, would expand the program in order to allow veterans attending private colleges and universities to receive tuition assistance as if they were at a state-funded school. Another proposal would help ensure veterans are sufficiently represented in graduate and professional schools.
Education is not the only veterans issue for Representative Nelson. Other proposals include incentives to bring more health care providers into the Tricare system, tax credits for long term care costs incurred by veterans, and funding for funeral services for veterans killed in service.
Representative Nelson previously served as the Chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2005, and continues to make veterans a top legislative priority.
“If you can read this, thank a teacher,” Representative Nelson stated. “If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.”
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Monday, February 5, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
One step forward
HB 2459, the English Language Bill, has been assigned to the House Committee on Elections, Ethics, and Rules.
I hope that my colleague, Rep. Rosenbaum, will schedule this bill for the public hearing it deserves.
I hope that my colleague, Rep. Rosenbaum, will schedule this bill for the public hearing it deserves.
Friday, January 19, 2007
NEWS RELEASE
English Language Bill Generates Overwhelming Support
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) has received overwhelming support for HB 2459, the bill to make English Oregon’s official language.
Phone calls and e-mails to the Representative have been almost universally positive, providing feedback from all over the state. “I’m getting calls from Pendleton to Medford to Tillamook,” said Representative Nelson. “I’m grateful to hear from so many Oregonians – and I encourage everyone calling in from outside my legislative district to let their legislators know the importance of this bill.” Incoming e-mails have been approximately 95% favorable, with support coming in from Oregon Democrats as well as Republicans. “While I am a Polk County Democrat, I would back a bill to make English the official language of Oregon,” wrote Terri, from Dallas. “I think you will see a lot of public support on this.”
The English Language Bill is gaining momentum in both chambers of the Legislature. “I am in support of Rep. Nelson's proposal to adopt English as our official language,” said Representative Sal Esquivel (R-Medford), one of the co-sponsors of HB 2459. “It is our official language and we need to protect the American culture by maintaining English as the first method of communication.” Two Senators, Gary George (R-McMinnville) and Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point), have also signed on to the bill.
Recent surveys show strong public backing of English as an official language. A January 18 survey from Portland television station KATU showed 92% of respondents favor English as Oregon’s official language. A 2006 Zogby poll indicated 84% of Americans favor English as the official language of government.
House Bill 2459 is getting attention from as far away as our nation’s capital. “It is good to see Oregon’s legislators are recognizing the importance of making English the official language,” said Rob Toonkel, a spokesman for Washington, D.C. based grassroots organization U.S. English, Inc. “Declaring English the official language is something we need to ensure unity within our diverse society.”
The English Language Bill has received its first reading in the Oregon House of Representatives, and now awaits committee assignment from Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley. Public hearings on HB 2459 may be scheduled once a committee is assigned.
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SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) has received overwhelming support for HB 2459, the bill to make English Oregon’s official language.
Phone calls and e-mails to the Representative have been almost universally positive, providing feedback from all over the state. “I’m getting calls from Pendleton to Medford to Tillamook,” said Representative Nelson. “I’m grateful to hear from so many Oregonians – and I encourage everyone calling in from outside my legislative district to let their legislators know the importance of this bill.” Incoming e-mails have been approximately 95% favorable, with support coming in from Oregon Democrats as well as Republicans. “While I am a Polk County Democrat, I would back a bill to make English the official language of Oregon,” wrote Terri, from Dallas. “I think you will see a lot of public support on this.”
The English Language Bill is gaining momentum in both chambers of the Legislature. “I am in support of Rep. Nelson's proposal to adopt English as our official language,” said Representative Sal Esquivel (R-Medford), one of the co-sponsors of HB 2459. “It is our official language and we need to protect the American culture by maintaining English as the first method of communication.” Two Senators, Gary George (R-McMinnville) and Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point), have also signed on to the bill.
Recent surveys show strong public backing of English as an official language. A January 18 survey from Portland television station KATU showed 92% of respondents favor English as Oregon’s official language. A 2006 Zogby poll indicated 84% of Americans favor English as the official language of government.
House Bill 2459 is getting attention from as far away as our nation’s capital. “It is good to see Oregon’s legislators are recognizing the importance of making English the official language,” said Rob Toonkel, a spokesman for Washington, D.C. based grassroots organization U.S. English, Inc. “Declaring English the official language is something we need to ensure unity within our diverse society.”
The English Language Bill has received its first reading in the Oregon House of Representatives, and now awaits committee assignment from Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley. Public hearings on HB 2459 may be scheduled once a committee is assigned.
###
Thursday, January 18, 2007
HB 2459
It's been a busy day - office phone was ringing off the hook, KATU stopped by the office, radio stations and newspapers want statements - all over HB 2459, my English Language Bill.
E-mail into the office has been about 10-1 in favor of the bill. What makes me sad is that the negative e-mails, rather than addressing actual issues, have been almost entirely mean-spirited ad hominem attacks. Funny thing is, people like to make comments about my attitude towards minorities or the Spanish Language without realizing that I've travelled to 178 different countries on business in my life (where I learned first hand the difficulties of not having a common language) or that my mother was a Spanish teacher...
Oh well, when you make a principled stand on a controversial issue, you have to expect that sort of treatment.
Keep your eyes on KATU tonight to see the story!
E-mail into the office has been about 10-1 in favor of the bill. What makes me sad is that the negative e-mails, rather than addressing actual issues, have been almost entirely mean-spirited ad hominem attacks. Funny thing is, people like to make comments about my attitude towards minorities or the Spanish Language without realizing that I've travelled to 178 different countries on business in my life (where I learned first hand the difficulties of not having a common language) or that my mother was a Spanish teacher...
Oh well, when you make a principled stand on a controversial issue, you have to expect that sort of treatment.
Keep your eyes on KATU tonight to see the story!
Friday, January 12, 2007
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.
###
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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