On July 1, 2007 a new Kansas Law established English as the official language of the State of Kansas. In 2007 House Bill 2140 passed the House with 114 Yeas and 7 Nays, and the Senate with 32 Yeas and 8 Nays.
A lawsuit filed yesterday in Wichita unbelievably is attempting to bar a parochial school from requiring students to speak only the official language of the state (Catholic school sued over ‘English only’ policy, Topeka Capital-Journal, May 20, 2008).
A group, U.S. English, which was established to preserve English as the unifying language in the United States, commented about the new 2007 Kansas Law:
As passed by the House and Senate, H.B. 2140 would make English the official language of Kansas. Under the legislation, state agencies would not be required to conduct business and provide documents in languages other than English, except where necessary to comply with federal law, protect public safety, and maintain Constitutional rights.
Kansas becomes the 30th state overall, and the third in seven months, to enact English as its official language, following Idaho in March and Arizona last November. The seven month span marks the shortest amount of time for three new states to adopt official English legislation since Montana, South Dakota and New Hampshire approved similar laws over three months in 1995.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ press release from May 2007 explained the new Kansas Law:Designating English as the official language of Kansas:
HB 2140 designates English as the official language of the State of Kansas for all public documents and official public meetings. No state agency or local government will be required to provide documents in a language other than English, but they may use other languages at the agency or local government’s discretion. This bill authorizes the use of Braille in signage and documents, as well as communication in American Sign Language to accommodate persons with disabilities. It requires local entities such as political subdivisions, community-based agencies, migrant worker groups and refugee resettlement programs designated by the State Board of Regents to offer English language classes; English language training; citizenship classes for non-native speakers; and to seek assistance from listed groups in expanding awareness of the available classes and training.
The parents in Wichita are trying to use a Federal Law to bar the English-only policy:
The parents claim in their lawsuit that since the school receives federal money for its free and reduced-price lunch program, it is subject to federal anti-discrimination laws. The district contends it is the students who receive the federal funding.
I wonder why news reports do not mention the new Kansas Law establishing English as the official language?
Without a common language the United States will become a two-tiered society with the “haves” and the “have nots” largely separated by language. How is having a two-tiered society a good thing?
English is the official language in 30 states.
Related:
- Families sue St. Anne over ‘English only’, Wichita Eagle, May 20, 2008. (includes links to court documents)
- “English-Only” Rule Leads to Lawsuit, KAKE Wichita, May 19, 2008. (see video)
Tags: English, Immigration, Official Language
