U.S.English Chairman Praises House Passage of Bill to Declare English West Virginia's Official Language

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S.English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica today praised the West Virginia State House on its passage of a bill to recognize English as the official language of the state.

HB 3019, introduced by Delegate Woody Ireland, passed by a vote of 95 - 4. The legislation would require that official government business be conducted in English, allowing for the use of foreign languages in common sense circumstances such as health and safety, judicial situations and more. The bill would not restrict the use of foreign languages among individuals or businesses.

"I am pleased that the West Virginia State House has overwhelmingly recognized the value of conducting its official business in English," Chairman Mujica said. "When the government operates in English, it acts as an added incentive to encourage foreign language speakers to learn the language as well. I encourage the West Virginia State Senate to follow the House lead and help bring Delegate Ireland's bill to swift passage."

The legislation now awaits referral to a Senate committee. Should HB 3019 pass the State Senate and be signed into law by the Governor, West Virginia will become the 32nd state to recognize English as the official language.

U.S.English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S.English, Inc. (www.usenglish.org) now has more than 2 million members.

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