[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 49 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S3805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 458--AFFIRMING THAT STATEMENTS OF NATIONAL UNITY, 
  INCLUDING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, SHOULD BE RECITED OR SUNG IN ENGLISH

  Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself, Mr. Frist, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Stevens, 
Mr. Isakson, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Santorum, and 
Mr. Talent) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committtee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 458

       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 the 
     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.

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