[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 179 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H16946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ONE PEOPLE, ONE LANGUAGE, ONE NATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth] is recognized during 
morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, when I first introduced my legislation to make 
English our official language, the American people were most 
supportive, and today we have overwhelming support for this 
legislation. Only those who are ripping off the government programs 
like bilingual education and the cultural elitists were and are 
opposed.
  These same critics were silenced 2 weeks ago when the entire world 
received an object lesson in the importance of a common language in 
preserving a nation and its common purpose. Just a short time ago, we 
almost witnessed the end of a nation. Our great friend and neighbor to 
the north, Canada, just narrowly avoided splitting in two over 
linguistic and cultural differences.
  Canada may yet split up. The linguistic tensions in Canada were not 
eased by their razor-thin victory for unity. In fact, the Canadian 
people face their greatest challenges in the months and years ahead, 
i.e., to weave a common thread of unity through an increasingly divided 
Nation.
  Canada's example is a cautionary tale for our country, the most 
diverse Nation in the history of the world. Their narrow brush with 
breakup should sound a clarion call to all Americans who dismiss the 
importance of a common language and culture to a nation.
  Here in America we have been given a precious and unique gift. We 
have been given this gift, a common language. One of this century's 
greatest statesmen, Winston Churchill, instinctively understood 
language's paramount importance in keeping a Nation together. He 
remarked that ``the gift of a common language is a priceless 
inheritance'' to a nation. America has truly been blessed in a way that 
our Canadian neighbor has not.
  Around the world, nations have come to realize how right Churchill 
was. India, faced with a tangle of 14 languages and dialects spoken on 
their soil, turned to English to unite their diverse peoples. Eighty-
eight countries have constitutional language provisions.
  I participated in an international conference at the Sorbonne in 
Paris last March where national language policies were being considered 
in many European and South American countries.
  Here in America, opinion polls show overwhelming support for official 
English language among the American people. In one recent survey, more 
than 11,000 people were polled, and 94 percent came out in favor of 
official English for the United States.
  Let the cultural elitists say what they will, but the American people 
have spoken. They know from plain common sense that we need one 
language to keep this United States from breaking up into little 
Quebecs.
  The recent events in Canada demonstrate that this issue is not an 
American or even a North American preoccupation. Nations all over the 
world are looking to language legislation to tame the centrifugal 
forces of ethnic and linguistic nationalism.
  I do not want to watch the United States unravel the way Canada 
almost did. I have introduced legislation that seeks to reinforce the 
common bond that holds our country together, the English language. I 
hope that you will heed the warning signs and join me in the effort to 
keep America one Nation, one people, and for that we need one common 
language.
  My friends, the old adage says that actions have consequences. It is 
equally true that inaction also has consequences. Canada's narrow brush 
with national divorce showed us what is possible when a Nation does not 
nurture and protect its national unity.
  Let us not make the same mistake. Let us not be guilty of inaction 
when decisive efforts to preserve our common bond are needed. Let us 
make English our official language. Help me to do that by cosponsoring 
H.R. 739, and let us keep the United States the United States. For 
that, we need one people, one language, one Nation.

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