Submitted By: D.A. King

While the political world is focused on the lunacy in Washington DC, conservative, pro-
English voters in Georgia’s 14th congressional district may have an interest in Republican
Congressman Tom Graves’ very curious and un-conservative anti-English stance.

HR 997 – the English Unity Act – was introduced last year in the U.S. House by conservative
Steve King. The legislation establishes English as the official language of the United States.
The bill is often falsely described as “English only” when in fact it is “English as official” –
not “only.” Comprende?

Readers can learn more about the official English movement bt visiting the non-profit
website, Pro-English.org

Also in the legislation:
*Naturalization ceremonies and official functions of the U.S. government, subject to
exceptions, must be conducted in English.

*The bill declares that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the
English language text of U.S. laws.

*A person injured by a violation of this bill may obtain relief, including a declaratory
judgment, in a civil action.
*English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private
sector, shall be presumptively consistent with U.S. laws. Any ambiguity in U.S. laws shall be
resolved in accordance with the rights retained by the people and the powers reserved to
states under the Bill of Rights.
*The Department of Homeland Security shall issue a proposed rule for uniform testing of
the English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that:
(1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of
the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2)
any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as
asylum.

The little-known fact is that the United States has no official language, despite huge public
support for official English. It is worth noting that the U.S. and Georgia Chambers of
Commerce are stridently opposed to this nationally unifying concept.
Maybe that is why Graves has repeatedly refused to help with the passage of this commonsense
and voter-popular bill by co-sponsoring and is on record as telling political pundit Phil Kent
that “this is not one of my top priorities right now.”

It wasn’t a priority last year or the year before either.
As readers no doubt are aware, all congressmen enjoy feedback and contact from
constituents. Maybe readers can move support for official English up Congressman Tom
Graves priority list with a respectful but firm phone call to his Washington DC office. The
phone number there is (202) 225-5211.

It could very well be that Mr. Graves doesn’t think you know anything about this issue.
D.A. King of Marietta is president of the pro-English Dustin Inman Society.
www.TheDustinInmanSociety.org