[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 458 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 458

  Affirming that statements of national unity, including the National 
             Anthem, should be recited or sung in English.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 1, 2006

Mr. Alexander (for himself, Mr. Frist, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Stevens, Mr. 
   Isakson, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Santorum, Mr. 
 Talent, Mr. Lott, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Warner) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

                              May 8, 2006

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Affirming that statements of national unity, including the National 
             Anthem, should be recited or sung in English.

Whereas Francis Scott Key wrote the words of the Star-Spangled Banner in English 
        in 1814, inspired by the sight of the American flag still waving at Fort 
        McHenry after 25 hours of continual bombardment by British forces;
Whereas Congress declared the Star-Spangled Banner the National Anthem of the 
        United States in 1931 (section 301 of title 3, United States Code);
Whereas the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States, written in 
        English, was first specified in law by Congress in 1942 (section 4 of 
        title 4, United States Code);
Whereas the Oath of Allegiance, to which lawful permanent residents swear upon 
        becoming citizens of the United States (as required under section 337 of 
        the Immigration and Naturalization Act (8 U.S.C. 1448)), is based, in 
        part, on language originally written in English by General George 
        Washington and sworn by him and his general officers at Valley Forge in 
        1778;
Whereas the vast majority of Americans are immigrants or the descendants of 
        immigrants, proud of their ancestral country, but prouder still to be 
        American;
Whereas millions of Americans speak or study additional languages, but English 
        is their common language;
Whereas the original national motto of the United States, ``E Pluribus Unum'', 
        meaning ``from many, one'', signifies the coming together of people from 
        many foreign countries to form one Nation, was incorporated into the 
        Great Seal of the United States in 1776, is printed on currency of the 
        United States, and inscribed on the wall of the Senate chamber;
Whereas the people of the United States are united not by race, ancestry, or 
        origin, but by a common language, English, and by common belief in the 
        principles prescribed in the founding documents of the Nation, 
        especially the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; and
Whereas, to become citizens of the United States, under sections 312 and 337 of 
        the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1423 and 1448), lawful 
        permanent residents of the United States who have immigrated from 
        foreign countries must, among other requirements, renounce allegiance to 
        the government of their country of origin, swear allegiance to the laws 
        and Constitution of the United States, and demonstrate an understanding 
        of the English language: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate affirms that statements or songs that 
symbolize the unity of the Nation, including the National Anthem, the 
Oath of Allegiance sworn by new United States citizens, and the Pledge 
of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States, should be recited or 
sung in English, the common language of the United States.
                                 <all>