[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 75 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5870-S5872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 106--TO EXPRESS THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING 
                      ENGLISH PLUS OTHER LANGUAGES

  Mr. DOMENICI (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. McCain, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. 
Hutchison, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Abraham, Mr. 
Santorum, and Mr. Warner) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 106

       Whereas English is the most widely used language in the 
     areas of finance, trade, technology, diplomacy, and 
     entertainment, and is the living library of the last 100 
     years of scientific and technological advance;
       Whereas there are more speakers of English as a second 
     language in the world

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     than there are native English speakers, and the large number 
     of English language schools around the world demonstrates 
     that English is as close as any language has been to becoming 
     the world's common language;
       Whereas Spanish exploration in the New World began in 1512 
     when Ponce de Leon explored the Florida peninsula, and 
     included the expeditions of Francisco Coronado throughout 
     California to Kansas and across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, 
     and Oklahoma from 1540 to 1542;
       Whereas in 1998 the Nation commemorated the 400th 
     anniversary of the first Spanish Settlement of the Southwest 
     (Ohkay Yunge at San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico) with official 
     visits from Spain, parades, fiestas, masses, and other 
     celebrations to emphasize the importance of the first 
     encounters with American Indian cultures and the subsequent 
     importance of encounters with other European cultures;
       Whereas El Paso, Texas, the first gateway for Spanish 
     explorers in the Southwest, also celebrated its 
     Quadricentennial commemorating the 400th anniversary of the 
     colonization expedition of Don Juan Onate in New Mexico and 
     Texas along the Camino Real;
       Whereas Hispanic culture, customs, and the Spanish language 
     are a vital source of familial and individual strength;
       Whereas the Bureau of the Census estimates that 1 in 5 
     Americans will be of Hispanic descent by the year 2030, and 
     the future cultural, political, and economic strengths of 
     this country are clearly dependent upon our Nation's ability 
     to harness the talents and skills of this large and growing 
     segment of the American population;
       Whereas one of the common bonds of Hispanic people is the 
     Spanish language, and promoting the use of Spanish at home 
     and in cultural affairs will benefit not only the growing 
     Hispanic population of the United States but also the 
     economic interests of the entire Nation;
       Whereas English is the common language of the United 
     States, is important to American life and individual success, 
     and 94 percent of United States residents speak English 
     according to the 1990 decennial census;
       Whereas immigrants to the United States have powerful 
     incentives to learn English in order to fully participate in 
     American society and the Nation's economy, and 90 percent of 
     all immigrant families become fluent in English within the 
     second generation;
       Whereas a common language promotes unity among citizens, 
     and fosters greater communication;
       Whereas there is a renaissance in cultural assertiveness 
     around the world, noting that the more interdependent nations 
     become economically, the more interested the nations are in 
     preserving and sharing cultural identity;
       Whereas the reality of a global economy is an ever-present 
     international development that is fostered by international 
     trade and the creation of regional trading blocs, such as the 
     European Union, Mercosur, the North American Free Trade 
     Agreement and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations;
       Whereas knowledge of English, Spanish, French, Italian, 
     Russian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, 
     Vietnamese, African languages, Farsi, sign language, and the 
     many other languages of the world, enhances competitiveness 
     and tremendous growth in world trade;
       Whereas the United States is well postured for the global 
     economy and international development with the United States' 
     diverse population and rich heritage of languages from all 
     around the world;
       Whereas many American Indian languages are indigenous to 
     the United States, and should be preserved, encouraged, and 
     utilized, as the languages were used during World War II when 
     the Navajo Code Talkers created a code that could not be 
     broken by the Japanese or the Germans;
       Whereas it is clearly in the interest of the United States 
     to encourage educational opportunity for and the human 
     potential of all citizens, and to take steps to realize the 
     opportunity and potential;
       Whereas a skilled labor force is crucial to the 
     competitiveness of the Nation in today's global economy, 
     foreign language skills are a tremendous resource to the 
     United States, and such foreign language skill enhances 
     American competitiveness in global markets by permitting 
     improved communication and understanding; and
       Whereas knowledge of other languages and other cultures is 
     known to enhance the United States diplomatic efforts by 
     fostering greater communication and understanding between 
     nations, and can promote greater understanding between 
     different ethnic and racial groups within the United States: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States Government should pursue 
     policies that--
       (1) support and encourage Americans to master the English 
     language plus other languages of the world, with special 
     emphasis on the growing importance of the Spanish language 
     for our Nation's economic and cultural relationships with 
     Mexico, Central America, and South America;
       (2) recognize the value of the Spanish language to millions 
     of Americans of Hispanic descent, who will be the Nation's 
     largest minority by the year 2005, and will constitute one of 
     every four Americans by the year 2030;
       (3) recognize the importance of English as the unifying 
     language of the United States, and the importance of English 
     fluency for individuals who want to succeed in American 
     society;
       (4) recognize that command of the English language is a 
     critical component of the success and productivity of our 
     Nation's children, and should be encouraged at every age;
       (5) recognize that a skilled labor force is crucial to 
     United States competitiveness in a global economy, and the 
     ability to speak 1 or more languages in addition to English 
     is a significant skill;
       (6) support literacy programs, including programs designed 
     to teach English, as well as those dedicated to helping 
     Americans learn and maintain other languages in addition to 
     English; and
       (7) develop our Nation's linguistic resources by 
     encouraging citizens of the United States to learn and 
     maintain Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, 
     Arabic, Italian, Korean, Vietnamese, Farsi, African 
     languages, sign language, and the many other languages of the 
     world, in addition to English.

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today I am pleased to be joined by 
Senators Kennedy, McCain, Hatch, Hutchison, DeWine, Chafee, Lugar, 
Abraham, Santorum, and Warner in submitting our Senate Resolution on 
``English-Plus.'' With this resolution, we are affirming the importance 
of mastering the English language plus other languages of the world, 
such as Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and 
many, many more.
  English is the most widely used language in the world in the areas of 
finance, trade, technology, diplomacy, and entertainment. English is 
also the world's living library of the last 100 years of scientific and 
technological advances. There is no doubt that English is as close as 
any language in history to becoming the world's dominant language.
  As Americans, we have always valued our ``melting pot'' ideal. The 
business of this country is conducted in English, and there is much 
pride in the ability to speak English as well as to read and write in 
one's native language. Those who know English and have mastered another 
language or two have a distinct advantage in a more competitive world.
  As the son of an Italian immigrant, I can personally testify to the 
importance of the concept of English Plus. My father did not read or 
write in English, yet he insisted that I learn English first and do my 
best at speaking and writing Italian. My parents both spoke Spanish--a 
skill which they found very useful in establishing a wholesale grocery 
business in Albuquerque.
  Tens of thousands of New Mexico families still speak Spanish at home. 
Spanish remains a strong tie to their culture, music, history, and 
folklore. After decades of being taught to learn English first, many 
thousands of New Mexico's Hispanic families also speak Spanish 
fluently.
  In New Mexico, 1998 marked the 400th anniversary of the first 
permanent Spanish settlement near San Juan Pueblo in the Espanola 
Valley. Many celebrations and educational events marked this important 
anniversary. Hispanic culture, customs, and language received much 
attention throughout New Mexico. More than a third of New Mexico's 
population is Hispanic, and the Spanish language and culture have a 
special place in our state's distinctive blend of Spanish, Anglo, and 
Indian cultures.
  New Mexico is the only state in the United States that has a 
constitutional requirement to use both English and Spanish in election 
materials and ballots.
  In New Mexico, 37 percent of the people are Spanish-Americans or 
Mexican-Americans. The term ``Hispanic Americans'' is used in our 
country to describe Americans whose roots are in Spain, Mexico, Puerto 
Rico, Cuba, Central America, and South America. As U.S. News reported 
in the May 11, 1998, issue, ``the label Hispanic obscures the enormous 
diversity among people who come (or whose forebears came) from 
two dozen countries and whose ancestry ranges from pure Spanish to 
mixtures of Spanish blood with Native American, African, German, and 
Italian, to name a few hybrids.''

  U.S. News also reported that ``The number of Hispanics is increasing 
almost four times as fast as the rest of the population, and they are 
expected to surpass African-Americans as the largest minority group by 
2005.'' In the October 21, 1996, issue, U.S. News reported that 
``Nearly 28 million people--1 American in 10--consider themselves

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of Hispanic origin.'' By 2050, projections are that 1 in every 4 
Americans will be Hispanic.
  An article in The Economist of April 21, 1998, stresses the value of 
the Spanish language to America's fastest growing minority group. 
``America's Latinos are rapidly becoming one of its most useful 
resources.''
  In the western hemisphere, Spanish is clearly a prominent language. 
With established and emerging markets in Mexico, Central America, and 
South America, the Spanish language is a key to foreign competition in 
our own hemisphere.
  As the world economy moves into the next century, it has become clear 
the ``domestic-only market planning'' has been replaced by the era of 
international trade agreements and the creation of regional trading 
blocs. In 1996, the total volume of trade with Mexico was estimated at 
$130 billion. Our trade with the rest of Latin America that same year 
was $101 billion.
  Spanish is clearly a growing cultural and economic force in our 
hemisphere. It is also the common language of hundreds of millions of 
people. Recent economic trends of this decade show Latin America as the 
most promising future market for American goods and services.
  With Latin America as the next great market partner of the United 
States, those Americans who know both English and Spanish will have 
many new grand opportunities. Mexico's recently hired and celebrated 
its one-millioneth maquiladora worker in international manufacturing 
plants along our border. This milestone event unquestionably shows the 
value of knowing two languages as manufacturing expands among the 
hundreds of Fortune 500 companies now manufacturing in Mexico.
  Mr. President, I have long believed that New Mexico and other border 
states are uniquely poised to create the focal point of North American 
trade with South America. I agree with The Economist observation that 
``America's Latinos are rapidly becoming one of its most useful 
resources.'' I predict that English Plus Spanish will be one of the 
major marketable skills for the next century.
  In conclusion, I would like my colleagues to see the value of 
``English Plus'' Spanish in our own hemisphere. ``English Plus'' and 
other European languages has long been a shared value, and ``English 
Plus'' African and Asian languages have become very important also. In 
every corner of the world, foreign languages matter to us for cultural, 
economic, and security reasons.
  Worldwide, we see a renaissance in cultural assertiveness where 
countries take greater interest in preserving and sharing their own 
cultural identities. As nations grow more interdependent economically, 
there is a parallel interest in maintaining their own cultural 
integrity, with language as a key linchpin of cultural identity.
  Mr. President, our nation's potential markets in Mexico, Central 
America, and South America alone spell a vital future for ``English 
Plus'' Spanish. If we want to continue to expand our nations's cultural 
and economic American influence in the world, then we urge the adoption 
of ``English Plus'' as our national policy. We believe this approach 
will lead to a more prosperous and secure world.
  We believe we should not isolate America to English only and to do 
that would be a big mistake. The Senate resolution I am speaking of 
supports and encourages Americans to master English first and English 
plus other languages. We believe we should add to that, but not English 
only. We see English plus other languages as a more sensible statement 
of our national policy. Our Nation is rich in resources. We want to 
encourage American citizens to learn other prominent languages that the 
world uses and that we must use in the world and that many in our 
country use as part of their cultural background.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that our resolution regarding 
English plus other languages be printed in the Record.

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