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July 14, 2003
Dear Representative:
The
National Grange, the nation's oldest general farm and rural public interest organization,
urges you to support H.R. 997 - "The English Language Unity Act of 2003." H.R.
997 would require nearly all federal official government business to be conducted
in English, and all documents to be printed in English, while protecting individual
Constitutional rights. The legislation, of course, provides for common sense exceptions
pertaining to public health and safety, law enforcement, protecting the rights
of victims and criminal defendants, and tourism. Last
November, at the 136th Annual Convention of the National Grange, the Grange delegates
adopted the following policy on English as our official national language:
"The National Grange
favors legislation, or if necessary a Constitutional amendment, to designate English
as the official national language, and that children in public school be taught
English. The National Grange supports legislation to require that English be used
on all government forms through out the United States and require that all ballots
and pertinent instructions for all elections be printed in the English language
only." Our
national motto is E pluribus Unum - out of many, one. Immigrants of many nationalities
built our nation, but our long tradition of assimilation has always included the
adoption of English as the common means of communication. H.R. 997 empowers immigrants
by giving them incentives to learn English. Knowledge of English leads to the
realization of the American dream by helping immigrants to participate fully in
our economy and to access government services. Common frames of reference, such
as language, are fundamental prerequisites for vibrant civic participation. Acknowledging
the role played by language as part of our common heritage, is the most effective
means to guarantee our personal liberties and protect our way of life. On
behalf of the nearly 300,000 Grange members across the nation, I hope that you
will support this important legislation in the 108th Congress by agreeing to co-sponsor
H.R. 997. To co-sponsor H.R. 997, please contact Brenna Findley in Congressman
Steve King's office at 5-4426. Sincerely,
Leroy Watson,
Legislative Director
National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
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