[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 107 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PROPOSITION 227

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 3, 1998

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, this past Friday, federal courts in 
California refused to block the implementation of Proposition 227, 
which will ban bilingual education. This initiative was passed with an 
approval of 61 percent from California voters, and it will replace the 
30 year-old bilingual education system with one that favors English-
only instruction.
  Nationwide, 3.2 million students are classified as being of limited 
English proficiency, including almost 1.4 million in California. 
Communicating with each other is vital to our national unity, and 
teaching our children is vital to the future of our nation. In a vast 
diverse country such as ours, it is essential that we encourage our 
citizens to develop a national identity. Teaching our children through 
a common language is a key factor in achieving this goal.
  I strongly believe one of America's greatest assets is our variety of 
backgrounds. I believe just as strongly that teaching our children with 
a common language will serve as a common thread to unit our Nation. And 
it is imperative that all Americans have the ability and skill to 
communicate in English if they are to work in the American labor force.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important to supply our children with the best 
education possible. As a father, grandfather, and former member of the 
Carlsbad school board, I have a personal interest in providing quality 
educational opportunities for our children. Nothing is more important 
to the success and prosperity of our Nation than the quality of 
education we offer our children. I commend those many, many citizens 
that have worked to ensure through Proposition 227, that every child in 
California can learn in English and have the chance to live their 
American Dream.

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