[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 345 Introduced in House (IH)]
104th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 345
To amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the
official language of the Government of the United States and to amend
the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that public ceremonies
for the admission of new citizens shall be considered solely in
English.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 4, 1995
Mr. Pickett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities and, in addition,
to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the
official language of the Government of the United States and to amend
the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that public ceremonies
for the admission of new citizens shall be considered solely in
English.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Language of Government Act of
1995''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds and declares--
(1) that the United States is comprised of individuals and
groups from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic
backgrounds;
(2) that the United States has benefited and continues to
benefit from this rich diversity;
(3) that throughout the history of the Nation, the common
thread binding those of differing backgrounds has been a common
language;
(4) that in order to preserve unity in diversity, and to
prevent division along linguistic lines, the United States
should maintain a language common to all people;
(5) that English has historically been the common language
and the language of opportunity in the United States;
(6) that the use of a single common language in the conduct
of the Government's official business will promote efficiency
and fairness to all people; and
(7) that English should be recognized in law as the
language of official business of the Government.
(b) Construction.--The amendments made by section 3--
(1) are not intended in any way to discriminate against or
restrict the rights of any individual in the United States;
(2) are not intended to discourage or prevent the use of
languages other than English in any nonofficial capacity; and
(3) except where an existing law of the United States
directly contravenes the amendments made by section 3 (such as
by requiring the use of a language other than English for
official business of the Government of the United States), are
not intended to repeal existing laws of the United States.
SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF GOVERNMENT.
(a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 6--LANGUAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT
``Sec.
``161. Declaration of official language of Government.
``162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language.
``163. Official Government activities in English.
``164. Standing.
``165. Definitions.
``Sec. 161. Declaration of official language of Government
``The official language of the Government of the United States is
English.
``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
``The Government shall have an affirmative obligation to preserve
and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United
States Government. Such obligation shall include encouraging greater
opportunities for individuals to learn the English language.
``Sec. 163. Official Government activities in English
``(a) Conduct of Business.--The Government shall conduct its
official business in English.
``(b) Denial of Services.--No person shall be denied services,
assistance, or facilities, directly or indirectly provided by the
Government solely because the person communicates in English.
``(c) Entitlement.--Every person in the United States is entitled
to--
``(1) communicate with the Government in English;
``(2) receive information from or contribute information to
the Government in English; and
``(3) be informed of or be subject to official orders in
English.
``Sec. 164. Standing
``Any person alleging injury arising from a violation of this
chapter shall have standing to sue in the courts of the United States
under sections 2201 and 2202 of title 28, United States Code, and for
such other relief as may be considered appropriate by the courts.
``Sec. 165. Definitions
``For purposes of this chapter:
``(1) Government.--The term `Government' means all branches
of the Government of the United States and all employees and
officials of the Government of the United States while
performing official business.
``(2) Official business.--The term `official business'
means those governmental actions, documents, or policies which
are enforceable with the full weight and authority of the
Government, but does not include--
``(A) actions or documents that are primarily
informational or educational;
``(B) actions, documents, or policies that are not
enforceable in the United States;
``(C) actions, documents, or policies necessary for
international relations, trade, or commerce;
``(D) actions or documents that protect the public
health or safety;
``(E) actions that protect the rights of victims of
crimes or criminal defendants; and
``(F) documents that utilize terms of art or
phrases from languages other than English.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 4,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``6. Language of the Government............................. 161''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect upon the date of enactment of this Act, except that no suit may
be commenced to enforce or determine rights under the amendments until
January 1, 1996.
SEC. 4. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR CEREMONIES FOR ADMISSION OF
NEW CITIZENS.
(a) Requirement.--Section 337(d) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1448(d)) is amended by adding at the end ``All public
ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to
this section shall be conducted solely in the English language.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. PREEMPTION.
This Act (and the amendments made by this Act) shall not preempt
any law of any State.
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