text_combined: english plus resolution congress english plus resolution introduced house representative july 13 rep jose serrano n along 31 democratic cosponsors one republican ileana ros lehtinen fla nonbinding statement policy intended counter six english bills pending congress measures include king bill h r 1005 would declare english official language end bilingual education bilingual ballots require government business transacted english slightly less restrictive emerson bill h r 123 likewise declares english official language ends federal funding bilingual education emerson bill 120 sponsors held likely pass year hearings probably scheduled present conflicts budget resolved opponents english measures felt wording resolution strong would like particularly makes indirect reference bilingual education programs still passage would important symbolic effect even defeated committee least help draw battle lines issue lsa executive committee voted meeting may give support resolution mail ballot years ago membership society declared opposition english measures margin 94 6 percent individual linguists may want make views english plus resolution known members house committee economic educational opportunities whose names follow text resolution committee members reached honorable _ _ _ _ _ _ _ u house representatives washington dc 20515 geoff nunberg concurrent resolution entitled english plus resolution whereas english primary language united states members society recognize importance english national life individual accomplishment whereas many residents united states speak native languages english including many languages indigenous country linguistic resources conserved developed whereas nation founded commitment democratic principles racial ethnic religious homogeneity drawn strength diversity languages cultures respect individual liberties whereas multilingualism ability speak languages addition english tremendous resource united states ability enhances american competitiveness global markets permitting improved communication crosscultural understanding producers suppliers vendors clients retailers consumers whereas multilingualism improves united states diplomatic efforts fostering enhanced communication greater understanding nations whereas multilingualism historically essential element national security including use native american languages development coded communications world war ii korean war vietnam war whereas multilingualism promotes greater crosscultural understanding different racial ethnic groups united states whereas threat status english united states language spoken 94 percent united states residents according 1990 united states census need designate official united states language adopt similar restrictionist legislation whereas english measures proposals designate english sole official language united states would violate traditions cultural pluralism divide communities along ethnic lines jeopardize provision law enforcement public health education vital services whose english limited impair government efficiency undercut national interest hindering language skills needed enhance international competitiveness conduct diplomacy whereas english measures would represent unwarranted federal regulation selfexpression abrogate constitutional rights freedom expression equal protection laws violate international human rights treaties united states signatory contradict spirit 1923 supreme court case meyer v nebraska wherein court declared protection constitution extends speak languages well born english tongue therefore resolved house representatives senate concurring united states government pursue policies 1 encourage residents country become fully proficient english expanding educational opportunities 2 conserve develop nation linguistic resources encouraging residents country learn maintain skills language english 3 assist native americans native alaskans native hawaiians peoples indigenous united states efforts prevent extinction languages cultures 4 continue provide services languages english needed facilitate access essential functions government promote public health safety ensure due process promote equal educational opportunity protect fundamental rights 5 recognize importance multilingualism vital american interests individual rights oppose english measures similar language restrictionist measures house committee economic educational opportunities republicans democrats william f goodling pa chmn william bill clay mo thomas e petri wi george e miller ca marge roukema nj dale e kildee mi steven gunderson wi pat williams mt harris w fawell il matthew g martinez ca cass ballenger nc major r owens ny bill barrett ne thomas g sawyer oh randy cunningham ca donald payne nj peter hoekstra mi patsy mink hi howard mckeon ca robert e andrews nj michael castle de john f jack reed ri jan meyers ks timothy j roemer sam johnson tx eliot l engel ny james talent mo xavier becerra ca james greenwood pa robert c bobby scott va tim hutchinson ar gene green tx joe knollenberg mi lynn woolsey ca frank riggs ca carlos romero barcelo pr lindsey graham sc mel reynolds il dave weldon fl david funderburk nc mark souder david mcintosh charles norwood ga