Thread: Oregon House bill 2459, English language

Representative Donna Nelson has just introduced House Bill 2459.
House Bill 2459 would make English the official language of Oregon Government. Oregonians for Immigration Reform urge you support HB 2459 and call your State Senator and Representative.

NEWS RELEASE
January 12, 2007
Contact:
David Gulliver
Representative Donna Nelson
(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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http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_ht ... _id=216027

71 Percent of Oregonians Support Making English the Official Language
New Statewide Survey Finds Strong Support for Common Language Policy
WASHINGTON, DC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 15, 2007 -- 71 percent of registered voters in Oregon favor making English the official language of the state, according to a poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc., including strong support within each political party. The survey found that the overwhelming majority of Oregon residents want the state to conduct business in English, including 69 percent of those in the Portland metropolitan area. The survey of 625 likely voters was conducted Feb. 5-8, 2007 and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent.

"Oregon may not be perceived as a traditional immigrant state, but it has become an increasingly popular destination for newcomers to the United States," said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. "The people of Oregon have a right to expect that their government is working to bring newcomers into the mainstream and putting them on the road to become a successful part of the state's future."

Earlier this year, Rep. Donna G. Nelson introduced H.B. 2459, the first legislation to make English the official language of Oregon since the mid-1990s. The unifying effort follows continued growth in the limited English-proficient population of Oregon, which has tripled between 1990 and 2005, according to U.S. Census estimates. The bill was most recently referred to the House Committee on Elections, Ethics, and Rules.

Making English the official language of a state calls upon the government to conduct business in English and limit governmental multilingualism to common-sense exceptions such as health care, public safety, judicial proceedings and tourism. To date, 28 states have English as their official language. In November 2006, Arizona became the newest addition to the list when nearly 75 percent of the voters affirmed Proposition 103.

"The voters of Oregon clearly applaud the actions taken by Rep. Nelson and the co-sponsors of H.B 2459," continued Mujica. "People understand that we have become a successful society because we have been successful in assimilating newcomers. Learning the English language has been the key part of that assimilation process, and H.B. 2459 recognizes that vital role."

U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. now has more than 1.8 million members nationwide. U.S. English, Inc. can be found on the web at: www.usenglish.org

That's a great article, thanks for finding it jean!!

I am sooo glad to see that percentage. As you have probably seen on O'Reilly about the pervert flashing kids from his front yard (he is awaiting trial for child porn), in Columbia county, at least this part of Oregon is mega far left.

I know, though, having lived in Eastern Oregon, pretty much everyone out there is very conservative, especially about illegal immigration.

However, since Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties are where the majority of Oregons population lives, this is also the biggest concentration of ultra far leftists, thus to some degree, it tends to have the biggest pull when it comes to the major issues here.

There are many of us here that feel pretty isloated most of the time, but our numbers are growing, mainly because people are getting tired of it all, and speaking out more.