English as the Official Language of the United States.
Nearly half of 50 states have passed a law making English their official language. Other states have also considered passing English-only bills that brings a huge polemic in Congress and public. The history of English-only laws starts as early as 1906 when Congress had voted a law that required immigrants to speak English if they want to become the citizens of the United States of America. Since than many laws have been introduced to Congress in favor or against English-only bills that affect all immigrants and their future generations. The nation is divided on this issue. Public support has exceeded 65 percent in some opinion pools.1 English-only is no longer a fringe movement. .
There are many different opinions about whether English should be the official language of the United States of America. U.S. ENGLISH and ENGLISH FIRST, two national groups spearheading this legislation, started small in the mid-1980s. Drawing support mainly from direct-mail contributions, they have grown steadily in budgets, staffs, and influence. H.R. 123 the leading "Language of Government" bill in the 104th Congress, boasted nearly 200 cosponsors. .
U.S. ENGLISH, Inc. is the nation's oldest, largest citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Senator S. I Hayakawa, an immigrant himself, U.S. English now has 1.4 million members nationwide. Mauro Mujica, an architect and international businessman as well as an immigrant from Chile, has been the Chairman/CEO of U.S. English, Inc. since 1993 and prior to that, served on the Board of Directors beginning in 1992. Because of his commitment to keeping this nation unified through a common language and his own experience as an immigrant, Mr. Mujica has succeeded in making U.S. English Inc. one of the fastest-growing interest groups in the country.
