[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 22263]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE ON ENGLISH

  (Mr. POE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, in the small town of 
Friendswood, Texas, a citizen tried to discuss a water problem with a 
city worker. Apparently the worker could not be of assistance because 
the worker did not speak English.
  This led City Council to consider a ballot vote by citizens to 
determine if English should be the official language of their town. 
City Council Member Chris Perden said, ``English as an official 
language gives us a baseline. The city will publish everything in 
English. Our meetings will be in English . . . and city forms will be 
in English.'' There are even suggestions that all city employees be 
required to speak English and even teach those that cannot. The critics 
quickly surfaced, however, and LULAC officials say they will sue, 
claiming violation of civil rights if the public supports this 
ordinance.
  This is yet another example of how small-town America must solve 
immigration issues that the Federal Government has not honestly 
addressed. The people of Friendswood, Texas, not the politicians, not 
the self-promoters and not even LULAC, should have the right to vote 
and decide if English should be the official language of their town.
  And that's just the way it is.

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